LIBRARY 

JJNIVERSn        >!    CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


THE    WORLD 

AND 
HIS    WIFE 


THE  WORLD 

AND 

HIS  WIFE 

BV 

CHARLES  FREDERIC  NIRDLINGER 


After  the  verse  of 
JOSE  ECHEGARAY'S 
EL  GRAN  GALEOTO 


NEW  YORK 
MITCHELL  KENNERLEY 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
DAVIS 


Copyright  1908  by 

Julie  Opp  Faversham 

All  rights  reserved 

Copyright  1908  by 
Mitchell  Kennerley 


THE  WORLD  AND  HIS  WIFE 

As  presented  at  Daly's  Theatre,  New  York, 

November  2nd,  1908 
by  Mr.  William  Faversham  and  his  Company 

CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

DON  JULIAN  MB.   H.   COOPER   CLIFFE 

DONNA  TEODORA,   HIS   WIFE  MISS   JULIE   OPP 

DON   SEVERO  MR.    CHARLES   HARBURY 

DONNA   MERCEDES,    HIS   WIFE  MISS   OLIVE   OLIVE 

DON   PEPITO,   THEIR   SON  MR.    HARRY   REDDING 

CAPTAIN    BEAULJEU,   OF  THE  BRITISH   EMBASSY 

MR.   MORTON  SELTEN 

DON   ERNESTO  MR.   FAVERSHAM 

GENARO,   CONCIERGE  MR.    LIONEL   BELMORE 

SYNOPSIS  OF  SCENES 

ACT  I. — Drawing-room  in  Don  Julian's  home  in  Madrid. 

Evening. 

ACT  II. — Two  weeks  later.     Don  Ernesto's  rooms  in  the 
Alvarado  Studio. 

ACT  III. — Evening  of  the  same  day.     Scene  same  as  Act  I. 
TIME — PRESENT. 


The  World  and  His  Wife 


ACT  I 

THE  SCENE**  the  drawing-room  in  the  house  of 
DON  JULIAN:  spacious  and  sumptuously  fur 
nished.  The  walls  are  hung  with  velvet  of  old- 
rose;  the  coverings  of  chairs  and  couches  are  of 
corresponding  tints.  The  beamed  ceiling  is  of 
painted  cedar.  At  the  back,  right,  in  a  large 
arch,  with  French  windows  the  full  height  of  the 
room,  opens  a  wide  balcony;  at  the  left,  a  similar 
arch  leads  to  a  stone  hall-way,  conducting  to 
JULIAN'S  apartment.  A  door  at  the  left  of  the 
stage,  flanked  by  tall,  many-candled  torcheres, 
opens  into  the  entrance  hall  of  the  house;  a  door 
at  the  right  of  the  stage  leads  to  the  library. 
Between  the  arches,  at  the  back,  is  a  grand-piano, 
and  a  single  torchere  of  massive  design.  Below 
the  library  door  is  a  mantel  of  pale-pink  marble, 
with  grilled  fire-place  and  brazier  of  Moorish  cop- 
per.  On  the  mantel  are  two  antique  figures, 
supporting  candelabra. 

When  the  curtain  rises,  TEODOEA  stands  at 

[7] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

the  balcony  door;  faintly  from  the  street  below, 
is  heard  the  waltz  of  the  opera  "Galeoto,"  played 
by  the  mandolinata. 

JULIAN,  entering 
[At  the  door,  calling. 
Teodora ! 

[She  does  not  answer. 
Teo! 

TEODORA,  turns 
Oh,  it's  you,  dear! 

JULIAN 
In  the  clouds  again? 

TEODORA 

There  aren't  any.     The  sky's  as  clear  as  crystal. 
It's  going  to  be  a  gorgeous  evening. 

JULIAN 

Fve  asked  my  brother,   Severe,  to   dinner — and 
Mercedes. 

TEODORA 

[With  a  pout. 
Oh,  did  you? 

[8] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

Why,  what's  the  matter? 

TEODORA 

Oh,  nothing,  nothing  at  all.  Only — I  was  think 
ing  we'd  be  all  by  ourselves  this  evening — just 
you  and  I — and  Ernesto. 

JULIAN 
Well,  I'll  make  some  excuse — and  call  it  off — 

TEODORA 

No,  no,  no — it  was  just  a  mood — I'm  glad  they're 
coming — and  we'll  dine  on  the  balcony. 

[Rings  for  SERVANT. 

JULIAN 
Isn't  it  too  cool? 

TEODORA 

Oh,  no— it'll  be  lovely. 

TEODOEA 

[To  SERVANT  who  enters. 
We'll  have  dinner  on  the  balcony. 
[9] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SERVANT 

Yes,  Madame — the  usual  hour,  Madame? 

TEODOBA 

No,  earlier — half  an  hour — we're  going  to  the 
opera. 

SERVANT 
Yes,  Madame. 

[Goes  out. 

TEODORA 

The  moon  ought  to  be  up,  at  the  latest,  with  the 
coffee — and  there's  sure  to  be  a  street-band  to 
play  for  us. — Julian,  there's  much  we'll  miss 
when  we  leave  Madrid. 

JULIAN 

My  dear,  other  countries  have  a  moon  and  street- 
bands. 

TEODORA 

[With  a  regretful  toss  of  the  head. 
Not  like  those  of  Madrid. 

[10], 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

Well,  we  may  not  have  to  give  them  up. 

TEODORA,  surprised 
Why,  you've  changed  your  plans? 

JULIAN 
Not  so  much  I,  as  the  Foreign  Office. 

TEODOBA 

Really  ? — What's  happened  ? 

JULIAN 

For  some  reason,  there's  a  sudden  curious  hesitancy 
over  my  appointment. 

TEODOBA 

Politics,  of  course? 

JULIAN 

To  tell  the  truth,  I  can't  make  out  what  it  is. 
Severe  has  gone  to  the  Minister,  to  see  if  he 
can  get  at  the  bottom  of  the  mystery. 

TEODOBA 

But  it  was  quite  settled,  I  thought. 

en] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

So  did  I.  In  fact,  I  never  thought  of  possible 
rivalry.  It's  a  very  costly  Embassy,  the  one 
they  offered  me — urged  on  me.  The  war  with 
America  left  us  all  so  poor — there  aren't  many 
who'd  care  to  take  it. — Why,  when  I  lunched  at 
the  Palace,  a  few  days  ago,  the  King  asked 
when  I'd  find  it  convenient  to  start — And  the 
Queen  said  no  end  of  nice  things  about  you — 
with  your  beauty,  charm  and  tact,  the  Em 
bassy  was  sure  to  succeed — And  now  this!  I 
really  don't  mind  so  much  about  myself,  but 
won't  Ernesto  be  disappointed ! 

TEODORA 
You  asked  he  be  made  First  Secretary? 

JULIAN 
Not  only  asked — stipulated — 

TEODORA 

And  they — agreed — ? 

JULIAN 

Yes !  A  little  dissent  at  first, — his  youth  and  lack 
of  diplomatic  training — but  I  reminded  the 
Minister  the  Government  owed  something  to  the 

[12] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

son  of  Don  Florio,  whose  devotion  to  Spain  cost 
him  his  fortune.  .  .  .  Had  he  made  cause  with 
her  foes  he  would  not  only  have  saved  his  vast 
investments  in  Cuba,  but  increased  them  ten 
fold. — The  least  they  can  do  in  recompense  is 
to  start  Ernesto  on  a  diplomatic  career. 

TEODORA 
You  think  he  has  the  qualities? 

JULIAN 

Why  not?     Good-looking? 

TEODORA 

Rather. 

JULIAN 

Talks  well? 

TEODORA 

Rather. 

JULIAN 

And  not  too  much? 

TEODORA 

Too  little,  rather. 

[13] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

And  dances? 

TEODOEA 

Divinely ! 

JULIAN 

There !    Bismarck  began  with  less  than  that.    The 
one  thing  Ernesto  lacks — 

TEODORA 

Fortune? 

JULIAN 

That,  thank  Heaven,  we  can  supply. 

TEODORA,  dubiously 
That's  the  stumbling  block,  I'm  afraid. 

JULIAN 

Why? 

TEODOEA 

Such  help — he'll  refuse. 

JULIAN 

Has  he  said  so? 

[14] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

Oh,  no — we've  never  spoken  of  it — but — you'll  find 
I'm  right,  Julian. 

JULIAN 

But  I  won't  hear  of  such — pride. 

[Pushes  the  bell-tiutton. 
Is  he  in? 

TEODOEA 

[Showing  the  book. 

He — er — sent  me  this  volume  of  Dante  just  be 
fore  you  came. 

JULIAN 

[To  SERVANT  who  enters. 
Say  to  Don  Ernesto  I  wish  to  see  him  here. 
[SERVANT  goes  out. 

He  has  no  right  to  deny  me  the  chance  to  repay,  in 
some  small  part,  what  I  owe  his  father.  At 
more  than  one  crisis  of  my  affairs  Don  Florio 
helped  me  to  safety.  But  for  him — I  should 
have  nothing — least  of  all  you,  Teodora. 
Isn't  that  enough  to  make  me  grateful  ? — What 
ever  I  might  do  for  the  lad,  I  should  never  feel 
free  of  the  debt. 

[15] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

Julian,  aren't  you  a  bit  fantastic  about  it? 
You've  been  kindness  itself  to  Ernesto.  Rushed 
off  to  Barcelona  the  instant  you  learned  he  was 
alone.  Brought  him  here,  to  be  with  us  until 
his  sorrow  had  softened.  Watched  over  him, 
humoured  his  moods,  won  him  gradually — and 
with  such  loving  care! — from  his  sombre 
thoughts.  Why — if  he  were  your  brother — 

JULIAN 
I've  tried  to,  as  if  he  were  my  son. 

TEODORA,  lightly 

No,  no — 'brother'  will  do — quite  well  enough. 
[ERNESTO  appears  at  the  door. 

Here  he  is. 

JULIAN 

Hello,  Ernesto. 

ERNESTO,  bowing 
Julian — and  Teodora — you  got  the  book? 

TEODORA 

[Holding  it  up. 

Thanks. 

[16] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Any  news,  Julian? 

JULIAN 

Nothing  certain.  We're  waiting  for  Severo — If 
our  plans  fell  through — would  you  mind  very 
much  ? 

ERNESTO 

On  your  account,  yes.     On  my  own,  not  at  all. 

JULIAN 
Why,- 

ERNESTO 

For  one  thing,  I'm  too  poor  for  the  post. 

JULIAN 

Legation  secretary?  Nonsense!  Nothing's  ex 
pected  of  you.  You  don't  ask  people  to  dinners 
and  dances — 

ERNESTO 

No,  but  other  people  ask  me  to  theirs — and  gloves 
and  cravats  cost  something — and  cabs  don't 
grow  on  trees. 

[17] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN,  impatiently 
That  phase  of  the  matter  I  will  not  discuss. 


EENESTO 

But  I  must,  Julian.  It's  about  that  I  want  to 
speak  with  you — 

[TEODORA  moves  as  if  to  go  to  the  door. 

And  you,  too,  Donna  Teodora — Now  you 
mustn't  think  me  boorish  or  ungrateful,  but  it's 
high  time  I  cut  loose  from  this  secure  and  com 
fortable  haven  and  set  out  to  see  what  I  can  do 
for  myself. 

JULIAN 

Nonsense ! 

EBNESTO 

[Appealing   to   TEODORA. 
Am  I  not  right,  Teodora? 

TEODORA 

No!  You  must  come  with  us! — And  we'll  marry 
you  to  one  of  those  nice,  tall  American  girls — 
like  we  saw  at  Ostend — who  get  railroads  for 
dowries,  and  coal-mines  for  pin-money. 

[18] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Alluring — but  I've  quite  decided! 

TEODORA,  deprecatingly 
Of  course — if  you're  unhappy  here — 

ERNESTO 

It's  just  because  I've  been  so  wonderfully  happy 
that  I've  begun  to  be — unhappy. 

JULIAN 

If  you'd  only  look  at  matters  sensibly  and  realize 
that  whatever  I  may  do  for  you — 

ERNESTO,  interrupting 

Oh,  yes,  I  know  you  were  loyal  friends — but,  my 
dear  Julian,  I  can't  accede  further  to  your 
chivalrous,  almost  quixotic,  memory  of  a  favour 
long  since  passed.  The  companionship  of  all 
these  months  has  more  than  repaid  it.  Without 
it  I  don't  know  what  would  have  become  of  me. 
My  father  and  I  were  great  chums,  you  know, 
and  I  didn't  think  anything  could  ever  begin  to 
take  his  place'  in  life,  as  you  have.  But  now,  I 
beg  of  you,  offer  me  nothing  more  that  I  must 
refuse. 

[19] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[As  if  hurt. 

Oh,  of  course,  if  my  poor  services  humiliate  you — 
or  embarrass  you — 

ERNESTO 

'Humiliate,'  no —  'embarrass,'  yes.  Of  course, 
you'll  say  it  doesn't  amount  to  anything — that 
I  should  take  no  notice — and  at  first  I  didn't. 
But  when  people  saw  me  constantly  with  you — 
in  your  box  at  the  opera — using  your  traps 
and  horses — a  wing  of  the  palace  set  apart  for 
me — your  servants  at  my  beck  and  call — credit 
at  your  bankers' — why,  I  can't  tell  you  how 
often  I've  been  asked:  'You  are  Donna  Teo- 
dora's  brother?'  No. — ''Ah,  cousin,  then?' 
No.  'Oh,  Don  Julian's  nephew?'  Again,  no. 
'But,  of  course,  a  near  relation?'  No — no  re 
lation  at  all — just  a  friend,  an  old  friend.  'Ho 
— Ho — well,  you're  a  very  lucky  young  man.' — 
And  up  went  the  eyebrows! 

[Laughing. 

Now,  can't  you  see  that  that  might  become 
annoying  after  a  while? 

[After  waiting  for  some  response. 
Teo,  you  must  understand? 
[20] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOBA 

Why,  yes,  I— 

JULIAN 

Well,  /  don't— 

TEODORA 

But,  Julian,  you  don't  have  to  answer  the  ques 
tions — 

JULIAN 

Don't  I,  though!  Every  day.  A  little  different 
in  form,  perhaps.  'That's  an  attractive  young 
fellow  you've  stopping  with  you.'  Yes,  we  like 
him.  'Going  to  put  him  into  the  bank,  I  sup 
pose?'  No,  has  no  taste  for  business.  'Poli 
tics?'  We're  trying  to  induce  him.  'And  if 
you  can't?'  He  has  some  talent  for  letters. 
'Ah,  artist? — that's  too  bad! — Any  fortune?' 
Yes,  just  as  much  as  I  have. 

ERNESTO,  interrupting 
But,  Julian — 

JULIAN 

Why  not  ?    It's  the  truth.    Your  father  was  ready 
[21] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

to  share  with  me  everything  he  had — and  so  am 
I  with  you.  It  is  not  a  -favour  I  offer — but  only 
what  I  believe  is  due  to  you. 

ERNESTO 

But  Julian,  such  generous  spirit — the  world 
doesn't  understand. 

JULIAN 
[Snapping  his  fingers. 

That  for  the  world! — If  I  disregard  what  I  deem 
an  obligation,  what  does  the  world  give  me  for 
my  lost  peace  of  mind?  After  all,  you  see,  I 
am  selfish!  When  you're  as  old  as  I  am — the 
prattle  and  tattle  of  the  world — 

[Starts  to  go. 
Teodora  will  tell  you  what  I  think  of  it — 

[To  TEODORA. 
When  Severe  comes — I'm  in  the  library — 

[To  ERNESTO. 

The  world,  indeed! 

[Laughing. 
You're  young  yet,  Ernesto,  very  young! 

[He  goes  out. 

[22] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

[Looking  after  JULIAN. 
Just  the  finest  fellow — isn't  he? 

TEODOEA 

I  think  so — that's  why  I  married  him. 

ERNESTO 

Couldn't  be  kinder  to  me,  if  I  were  his  son. 

TEODOBA 

[With  a  stamp  of  her  foot. 
Brother,  if  you  please — Brother! 

EENESTO,  laughing 
Of  course,  if  you  prefer,  but  it  means  the  same. 

TEODOEA 

No,  it  doesn't — not  by  a   good  many  years. — 
You're  going  to  the  opera  with  us? 

EENESTO 

Is  there  a  place? 

[23] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


TEODORA 


Surely — So  when  the  story  gets  lost  in  the  maze 
of  the  music,  you  can  set  us  right — You  must 
know  it  by  heart! 

ERNESTO 

[Pointing   to   the   book   which   TEODORA 
holds. 

Yes — as  it's  told  there — in  the  'Inferno,'  — I  read 
it  very  often. 

TEODORA 
[Looking  at  the  pages. 

Yes — this  page  shows — thumb-marked — and  notes 
everywhere — in  the  margin.  Here  you've  writ 
ten— 

[Peers  at  the  page. 
'Poor  Francesca !'    'Poor  Paolo !'  — And  here — 

ERNESTO 

[Reaching  to  take  the  book. 
Don't,  Teodora — you'll  hurt  your  eyes. 
[24] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

[Retaining  the  book. 
No,  I  want  to  see  the  rest — 

[Starts  toward  the  balcony. 

ERNESTO 

Some  other  time — it's  getting  dark. 

TEODOBA 

[At  the  balcony-window. 
Light  enough  here — by  the  window. 

TEODORA,  reading 
'Blameless — both'  — what  does  that  mean  ? 

EENESTO 

I  forget  now — idle,  vagrant  thoughts — scrawled, 
as  I  read. 

[Turns  to  take  the  book. 

TEODORA 
[Drawing  it   away. 

But  why  'Poor  Paolo' — 'Poor  Francesca'?     You 
pity  them? 

ERNESTO 

And  don't  you? 

[25] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

No — I — yes — pity,  perhaps.  But  'blameless*  — 
No! 

EENESTO 

They  loved — greatly —  'God-like,9  is  Dante's 
word. 

TEODORA 

And  'God-like'  they  should  have  kept  it — up 
there  with  the  stars ! — And  not  drag  it  down  to 
earth — forgetting — disdaining — faith — loyalty 
— gratitude — pride — That  was  not  'God-like !' 

ERNESTO 

You  are  right,  Teodora — but,  now  and  then,  Fate 
leads  two  weak  humans,  face  to  face,  and  says : 
'You  twain  are  mates' — 'You  belong  together, 
body  and  soul' — And  when  that  happens — as 
with  Francesca  and  Paolo — faith — loyalty, 
pride  are  vain  words.  Love  doesn't  heed  them, 
nor  hear  them.  When  that  happens — not  only 
in  poet's  fancy,  but  the  hum-drum  of  every-day 
life — the  maid,  nobly  bred,  guarded  like  a  price 
less  pearl,  runs  away  with  the  picador; — a 
Princess  of  the  line,  takes  up  with  her  street- 
fiddler; — the  queen  leaves  her  throne  for  her 
ballad-monger — 

[26] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[SEVERO  enters  in  time  to  hear  the  last 
part  of  the  speech:  he  is  not  seen  by 
TEODOEA  and  ERNESTO. 

TEODORA 

And  they  are  'blameless'? 

ERNESTO 

Yes — because — helpless. 

[It  has  been  gradually  growing  darker: 
the  light  of  the  setting  sun  now  scarcely 
reaches  beyond  the  point  where  ERNESTO 
and  TEODORA  stand. 

MERCEDES,  entering 
Nobody  here? 

[TEODORA  and  ERNESTO,  absorbed  in 
each  other,  do  not  hear. 

SEVERO 
Wait— I'll  ring  for  lights. 

[He  pushes  the  bell-button. 

MERCEDES 

[Catching  sight  of  the  others. 
But  there  is — 

[Starts  toward  the  balcony. 
[27] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

[Stopping  her. 
No — don't  disturb  them. 

MERCEDES,  sneeriugly 
Together — as  usual. 

SEVERO 

And  yet  you  wonder  people  talk — call  it  an  out 
rage. 

{Calls  in  a  sharp  tone. 
Julian ! 

[ERNESTO    and  TEODORA   turn  quickly. 

TEODORA 

[Coming  from  the  balcony. 
Oh,  Mercedes ! 

[Kisses  her. 

ERNESTO,  advancing 
It's  I,  Don  Severo. 

SEVERO,  significantly 

So  I  see — I  thought,  of  course,  it  was  Julian. 
[28] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


MERCEDES, 

What  were  you  two  doing  —  in  the  dark? 

TEODORA 

[With  book  in  hand. 
Reading. 

MERCEDES 

By  this  light?  —  We  could  hardly  find  our  way  in. 

TEODORA 

Oh,  I  forgot  — 

[Goes  toward  bell. 

SEVERO 
I've  rung.  —  Julian's  out,  of  course? 

TEODORA 

No^-in  the  library  —  he's  expecting  you. 

SEVERO 

[With  intention. 
Yes  —  I  have  news  for  him. 
[29] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Take  Don  Ernesto — it  may  interest  him. 

EENESTO 

Julian  will  tell  me — if  he  thinks  I  ought  to  know. 

MERCEDES 
[To  ERNESTO. 

Has  Don  Julian  arranged  for  the  opera-box  to 
night? 

TEODORA 

He  asked  Pepito  to  look  after  it. 

MERCEDES 
[To  ERNESTO. 

Won't  you  please  make  sure — Pepito's  so  careless, 
you  know. 

[To   TEODORA. 

I  want  to  talk  with  you. 

TEODORA 

Talk  ahead. 

[30] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Alone,  please.    Get  rid  of  him! 

TEODORA 

[In  a  tone  of  surprise. 
'Get  rid  of—' 

MEECEDES 

If  you  don't,  I  shall — 

TEODOEA,  protesting 
Why,  my  dear — 

[Turns  to  ERNESTO. 

Ernesto,  Donna  Mercedes  has  something  to  tell 
me. 

EENESTO 
[Starting  to  go. 
Oh,  I  beg— 

TEODOEA 

— and  asked  me  to  'get  rid  of  you — 

MEECEDES,  embarrassed 
But,  Teo — 

[81] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

The  truth,  dear — it's  so  much  simpler! 

EENESTO 

[Stopping  at  the  door,  and  turning. 

Oh,  Teodora,  I've  asked  Captain  Beaulieu  to  come 
to  dinner.    Do  you  mind? 

TEODORA 

No,  glad  to  have  him.     Julian  likes  him.    Dinner 
at  seven. 

[ERNESTO  goes  out. 

[To  MERCEDES. 

N  Captain   Beaulieu   is   military   attache   at   the 
British  Legation. 

MERCEDES 

Yes,  I've  met  him — And  Ernesto — 

[Nods. 
asks  people  to  dinner? — 

[TEODORA  nods  'yes.9 
Quite  master-of-the-house,  isn't  he? 

[32] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

Why,  of  course.  That's  the  way  we  want  him  to 
feel.  His  father  and  Julian — you  know  what 
friends  they  were. — Julian  never  tires  talking  of 
it. — Ernesto's  as  much  at  home  here  as  Julian 
himself. 

MERCEDES,  snappishly 
Yes,  that's  what  they  say. 

TEODORA 

Good!  Everything  we  have  is  at  Ernesto's  dis 
posal,  and  we  want  the  whole  world  to  know  it. 

MERCEDES 

Teo,  you're  either  very  ingenuous  or  very  ingen 
ious. 

TEODORA 

Sounds  interesting — I  wish  I  knew  what  it  meant. 

[MERCEDES  looks  at  TEODORA;  there  is 
a  troubled  .pause. 

TEODORA 

Well,  well — what  is  it?     You  look  serious. 
[33] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

It  is  serious. 

TEODOEA 

Aha,  you've  been  up  to  some  mischief? 

MERCEDES 

No,  but — my  dear,  you  know  I  like  you,  don't 
you? — that  I'm  your  friend? 

TEODORA 

Yes — but  you  didn't  send  Ernesto  away  to  tell  me 
that! — Now  what's  happened? 

MERCEDES 

I  hope  nothing  has  happened,  I  pray  nothing  will. 

TEODORA,  impatiently 

Don't  keep  me  on  the  rack.    What  can  happen — 
and  to  whom? 

MERCEDES 

To  all  three. 

TEODORA 

What  three? 

[34] 


THE     WORLD    AKD     HIS     WIFE! 

MERCEDES 

The  usual,  and  universal,  three — the  wife,  the  hus 
band — and — another  man. 

TEODORA,  perplexedly 
Another—? 

MERCEDES 

The  other  man — 

[With  a  nod  to  indicate  ERNESTO. 

TEODORA 
Ernesto? 

MERCEDES 

[With  elaborate  relief. 
Thank  you  for  guessing ! 


TEODORA, 

Wasn't  very  hard  with  that — 

[Repeats  MERCEDES'  nod. 
[With  sudden  change  of  tone. 
And  you're  in  love  with  Ernesto? 
[35] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Looking  at  her  closely. 

If  I  didn't  know  you  to  be  a  candid,  straight 
forward  woman,  I'd  say  you  were  fencing — or 
worse ! 

TEODOEA,  rising 
And  I'd  say  you  were — 

MERCEDES 

Teodora — is  it  possible  you  don't  know  what  they 
are  saying? 

TEODORA 

Who  are  'they'? 

MERCEDES 

Everybody — everybody — in  our  world — and  half 
Madrid,  besides. 

TEODORA 
[After  a  pause. 
And  what  do  they  say? 

MERCEDES 

That  you  are  making  a  fool  of  Julian — you  and 
Ernesto ! 

[36] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA,  aghast 
Mercedes ! 

MERCEDES,  deliberately 
That's  what  they  say,  Teo. 

TEODORA,  rising 
Ernesto  and  I — they  say — ! 
[After  a  pause. 

Well — now  the  shock's  over — it's  so  ridiculous — 
what  they  say — so  supremely  and  sublimely 
wicked — that  it's  ridiculous — 

MERCEDES 

Then  you  care  nothing  for  this  man? 

TEODORA 

I  like  Ernesto — like  him — better,  I  believe,  than 
any  man  I  know — 

MERCEDES 

Ah! 

TEODORA 

But  I  love  Julian. 

[37] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MEECEDES 

Is  there  so  much  difference? 

TEODORA,  impatiently 

Is  there ! — Well — if  you  don't  know  the  difference, 
I'm  sorry  for  you — 

[As  an  after-thought. 
And  your  husband,  too. 
[In  a  different  tone. 

I'd  lay  down  my  life  for  Julian,  and  you  know 
it. 

MERCEDES 

I  believe  you — but  out  there — 

[Indicating  the  world  without. 
They  don't — They're  laughing  at  Julian. 

TEODORA 

Laughing   at  him!     I'd  hate  to  be  the  one  he 
catches  at  it! 

MERCEDES 

[With  a  gesture. 

He  has  only  to  reach  out  his  hand — anywhere — 
[38] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

at  his  club — in  the  Prado — at  the  opera — And 
as  for  you,  Teo — 


TEODORA 


Never  mind  me!  That's  no  matter! — what  they 
say ! — A  woman  reckons  only  with  God  and  her 
own  conscience.  But  Julian — that  pink  of 
chivalry,  with  the  pride  of  El  Campeador! — 
Mercedes,  it  would  kill  him — If  ill  him ! 

MERCEDES 

Yes,  and  knowing  that,  Teo,  feeling  as  you  do, 
how  could  you  be  so — so — 

TEODORA 

What! 

MERCEDES 

Reckless — or  indifferent — of  what  everyone  thinks. 

TEODORA 

No,  they  can't — 

MERCEDES 

Says  then — comes  to  the  same — and  more! — It 
isn't  what  you  do,  nor  what  people  think  you 
do ;  it's  what  they  say  you  do ! 

[39] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

But  no  right — or  reason — 

MERCEDES 

Oh,  plenty  of  reason — this  man  constantly  about 
you. 

TEODOEA 

With  Julian! 

MERCEDES 

No,  not  always — Just  now — when  we  came  in — 
and  found  you  — bien-intime — 'reading* — in  the 
dusk — Julian  wasn't  with  you — 

TEODORA 
But — here — in  my  home — 

MERCEDES 

And  the  servants? 

TEODORA 

The  servants! 

MERCEDES 

Have  eyes  and  ears  just  the  same  as  the  others. 
[40] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

And  can  see  and  hear  no  more  than  the  others. 

[Nods  to  indicate  the  world  outside. 
Oh,   but,   come,   Mercedes — this   is   too  much! 
The  servants !     I  begin  to  believe  you  mean  to 
humiliate  me. 

MERCEDES 

No,  but  neither  shall  he — if  we  can  help  it — we 
who  really  care  for  you.  Teodora,  the  fel 
low's  unworthy  of  you — not  fit  to  tie  your — 

[Points  to  TEODORA'S  shoes. 

TEODORA 

[Turning  sharply. 
Mercedes,  I  forbid  you ! 

MERCEDES,  triumphantly 

There,  you  see! — you  flare  at  the  first  word 
against  him. 

*  . 

TEODORA 

Yes,  a  guest  under  our  roof — Julian's  closest 
friend — as  dear  to  him  almost  as  Severo — living 
with  us  in  the  frankest  companionship — you  ex 
pect  me  to  listen — in  patience — to  the  chatter 

[41] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

of  the  servants'  hall — the  scandal  of  the  streets. 

MERCEDES 

It  is  more  than  that — much  more !  This  preux- 
chevalier  whom  you  defend  with  such  fire  has 
compromised  Julian  ruinously. 

TEODORA 

Nonsense ! 

MERCEDES 

Indeed!  You  know,  perhaps,  Julian's  appoint 
ment  has  been  held  up? 

TEODORA 
Yes,  he  told  me. 

MERCEDES 

And  the  reason? 

TEODORA 

He  doesn't  know — 

MERCEDES 

But  Severo  does — learned  it  just  now  at  the  For 
eign  Office.  The  gossip  you  make  so  light  of — 
that  you  ridicule  and  despise — well,  there  they 
take  it  more  seriously.  You  understand? 

[42] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

I  begin  to. 

MERCEDES 

At  first  they  would  tell  Severo  nothing — the  usual 
diplomatic  excuses  and  evasions.  "A  mere  de 
lay" — they  put  it.  When  Severo  insisted — 
there  were  intimations,  none  too  nice — shoulder 
shrugs — lifted  eyebrows; — and  then  an  at 
tempt  to  make  a  joke  of  it  all ! 

TEODORA 
I  can  imagine  that  was  enough  for  Severo! 

MERCEDES 

Yes. — He  demanded  that  they  come  out  into  the 
open  and  tell  him  exactly  what  this  treatment 
of  his  brother  meant. — He  demanded  the  truth 
— and  he  got  it ! 

TEODORA,  contemptuously 
The  truth? 

MERCEDES 

Well,  what  they  believe  the  truth.  And  in  plain, 
blunt  terms,  without  disguise  or  delicacy. — Is 
that  enough,  Teo? 

[43] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

No,  go  on. 

MERCEDES 

Well,  the  Capital  to  which  Julian  would  be  ac 
credited,  they  explained,  prides  itself  on  its  prim 
and  precise  social  orders.  None  of  our  Euro 
pean  ways ! — The  menage-a-trois,  with  its  at 
tendant  gossip  and  eventual  divorce,  is  quite 
unknown. — In  short,  their  social  code,  over  there 
is  summed  up  in  the  Seventh  Commandment — 
Or  so  they  tried  to  make  Severe  believe.  They 
told  of  an  Ambassador,  from  a  Power  much 
greater  than  Spain,  practically  given  his  conge 
because  of  some  vague  doubt  regarding  a  mem 
ber  of  his  household.  The  Ambassador  showed 
his  Emperor's  decree  that  proclaimed  his  prote 
gee  princess  by  title  and  heiress  to  all  his  es 
tates.  But  even  that  didn't  satisfy  his  straight- 
laced  censors ;  and  Monsieur  rAmbassadeur  had 
himself  transferred. — Now  do  you  understand? 

TEODORA,  bitterly 
Quite  well  enough! 

MERCEDES 

Why  did  Julian  insist  on  Ernesto's  appointment 
— and  why  did  you  let  him?  Without  that 

[44] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

everything  would  have  gone  well. — They  told 
Severe  relations  with  the  other  country  were 
still  awkward  and  the  Government  could  not 
risk  a  contretemps. — If  here  in  Madrid,  where 
we  are  not  squeamish,  this  menage  is  misunder 
stood — what  chance  to  escape  scandal  over 
there  ? 

TEODOEA 

If  Julian  should  know! 

MERCEDES 

He  must  know. — Severo's  come  to  tell  him. 

TEODORA,  protesting 
But,  first,  let  me  see  Julian.     It  is  my  right 

MERCEDES 

His  brother  has  the  greater  right. 

[JULIAN  and  SEVERO  enter,  talking  vehe- 


TEODORA 

[Rushing  to  JULIAN. 
Julian ! 

[45] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Indicating  MERCEDES. 
What  has  she  been  telling  you? 

MERCEDES 

Just  what  Severe  has  been  telling  you. 

JULIAN 

Now,  my  good  people,  for  this  once  I  let  it  go, 
but  you  shall  not — 

SEVERO 
We  only  tell  you  what  they  say — 

JULIAN 

They  say — they  say — who? 

MERCEDES 

Everyone — everywhere — all    the    world    and    his 
wife!— 

JULIAN 

They  shall  answer  to  us. 

SEVERO 

You  can't  fight  all  the  world! 
[46] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

For  Teodora,  yes — all  the  world. 

MERCEDES 

Perhaps — but  you  can't  fight  his  wife. — I've  spok 
en  to  Teo  only  as  I  would  to  a  loved  sister  whom 
I  saw  in  danger. 

JULIAN 
If  there  were  danger,  I  should  be  the  first — 

SEVERO 

No,  the  last  to  see.  It  is  always  so!  Shut  your 
own  eyes  if  you  will,  but  you  can't  shut  out  the 
picture,  here,  for  all  the  world  to  look  at;  the 
wife,  young,  beautiful,  with  a  mind  for  moon 
light  and  the  mandolinata,  and  an  idling,  dream 
ing  youth,  who  when  he  isn't  lolling  at  her  feet 
is  mooning  over  love  stories — or  writing  verses 
— for  Teodora  to  read!  A  fine  animal  to  let 
loose  about  the  house  while  you're  at  your  desk 
muddling  over  State  affairs — I'd  as  lief  bring 
into  my  house  the  pet  of  the  bull-ring! 


JULIAN,      _.0 
Severo,  you  forget  the  presence  of  my  wife — 
[47] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

No — nor  that  she  bears  our  name — that  her  hon 
our  is  our  own. — Let  him  not  forget  it  either — 
this  fellow  Ernesto ! 

[ERNESTO  appears  at  the  door  in  time  to 
"hear  this:  he  is  followed  by  PEPITO. 

ERNESTO 

[As  if  to  withdraw. 
I  beg  your  pardon. 

JULIAN 

Come  in — 

PEPITO 

[To    TEODORA. 

Here  are  the  tickets — the  opera  is  'Galeoto' — 
with  a  ballet,  from  Paris.  Trala ! 

TEODORA 

Thanks,  Pepito. 

ERNESTO 
[To    JULIAN. 

What's  happened? 

[48] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN,  evasively 
Why — why — why — what  should  happen? 

EENESTO 

I  don't  know- — but — I  heard  my  name — and  Teo- 
dora — she's  been  crying. 

JULIAN 
Women  are  given  to  that  sort  of  thing,  I  believe. 

EENESTO 
Not  Teodora.     What's  wrong  here? 

TEODORA,  lightly 
Nothing — nothing  to  speak  of. 

EENESTO 

Anything  I  can  set  right? 

JULIAN 
[As  if  to  dismiss  the  subject. 

Whatever's  wrong,  /  am  here  to  set  it  right. — - 
This  is  her  affair  and  mine. 

SEVEEO,  significantly 
And  if  need  be  I'll  make  it  mine ! 

[49] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

You  make  it  mine,  too — when  you  take  that  tone 
with  me. — Come,  Julian,  you  have  never  yet 
denied  me  your  confidence — and  I  demand  it 
now — since  it  is  plain  the  affair  directly  con 
cerns  me. 

JULIAN 
Forgive  me — I've  been  greatly  disturbed. 

SEVEEO 

[To  EENESTO. 

It  is  the  matter  of  his  appointment. 

EENESTO 

The  delay? 

SEVERO 

There's  more  than  delay — they  threaten  to  with 
hold  it  entirely.  And  because  of  you. 

EENESTO 

That  trouble's  easily  gotten  over.  I  never  wished 
the  post  for  which  Julian  urged  me — all  along 
intended  to  refuse  it. 

[50] 


THE     WORLD    AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

Then  why  didn't  you? 

ERNESTO 

One  doesn't  decline  a  diplomatic  post  until  it  is 
offered;  and  I  knew  it  would  never  come  to  that 
— I  knew  Don  Alvarez'  influence  would  prevent 
it. 

SEVERO 

He  says  your  father  ruined  him — in  prestige  and 
fortune. 

ERNESTO 

Yes,  he  did.  That's  one  of  my  proudest  memories. 
Alvarez  was  of  that  precious  crew  of  army  con 
tractors  who  sent  our  soldiers  to  Cuba  and  the 
Philippines  with  guns  of  tin  instead  of  steel,  with 
sand  for  powder,  and  stole  their  poor  rations 
until  they  starved.  My  father  brought  him  to 
book  for  it.  Everyone  knows  that. 

SEVERO 
Yes — and  if  it  were  only  Alvarez — 

ERNESTO 

Who  else  then? 

[51] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

A  thousand  others — half  the  town — every  man 
and  woman  who  has  taken  note  of  your  position 
in  this  house.  Surely,  you  have  not  been  left 
in  ignorance — 

ERNESTO 
Oh,  no — 

SEVERO 
[To    JULIAN. 

You  see? 

[To    ERNESTO. 

Then,  even  to  you — ? 

ERNESTO 

Yes. 

SEVERO 

And  you  didn't  strangle  the  wretch? 

ERNESTO 

I  should  have — only  it  was  your  son,  Pepito. 

SEVERO 
Better  he  than  another. 

[52] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[In  a  threatening  tone. 
Better,  perhaps,  for  you. 

SEVERO 
What  do  you  mean?     What  do  you  mean? — 

[Turns  to  PEPITO. 
Pepito,  take  your  mother — 
[Motions  them  to  leave. 

ERNESTO 

Teodora,  if  you  will— 

TEODORA 

[As  if  asking  JULIAN'S  permission. 
No — I'd  rather  remain — may  I  not,  Julian? 

JULIAN 

[After  a  glance  at  ERNESTO. 
No — let  it  be  as  Ernesto  wishes — 

[Takes  TEODORA  to  the  door,  and  comes 
back. 

Now  we  may  as  well  have  this  out,  once  for  all. 
[53] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

Now,  Sir,  you  mean? — 

ERNESTO 

I  mean,  Don  Severo — 

[At  a  glance  from  TEODORA,  as  she  goes 
out,  he  softens  his  tones. 

I  mean  that  what  I  heard  from  Pepito — some 
absurd,  some  petty — and  all  infamous — might 
better  come  from  anyone  else  than  one  of 
Julian's  kinsmen.  If  I  did  not  thrust  the  lie 
down  the  throat  of  him  who  only  repeated  it — 
carelessly,  I  know — half  in  jest,  and  with  no 
conscious  evil — it  was  because  he  was  Julian's 
kin.  I  could  not  be  so  patient  a  second  time, 
even  with  Julian's  kinsmen. — That's  what  I 
mean,  Don  Severo. 

JULIAN 

And  he's  right. 

[SEVERO  starts  as  if  angry — JULIAN  con 
tinues  more  gently. 

Oh,  I  know  your  devotion  to  me — the  honesty 
of  your  motive — but  if  out  there  shameless  per 
sons  make  a  gutter  frolic  of  the  reputation  of 
an  innocent  woman  and  two  honest  men,  at 

[54] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

least  let  us  shut  our  door  against  it. — Here, 
under  my  roof,  I  have  my  own  eyes  to  look  after 
my  own  affairs — and  if  need  arises  I  have  steel 
and  my  own  right  arm. 

SEVERO 

And  it  will  come  to  that  if  we  let  it  go  on.  Stop 
it — I  say — stop  it  where  it  is. 

JULIAN,  tensely 

That  we  shall — you  may  be  sure!  And  in  a  way 
all  Madrid  will  ring  with. 

SEVERO,  appeasingly 

No,  no,  no — that's  just  what  we  must  avoid. — 
With  calmness  and  prudence  we  must  order  this 
affair — like  sensible  men  of  the  world — and  not 
precipitate  a  new  embarrassment.  There  is  no 
need  here  of  passion  or  violence — the  matter  is 
not  beyond  repair.  (Lightly.)  As  yet,  it  is 
nothing — really  nothing! 

ERNESTO 

[TFitffe  sardonic  laughter,  at  first;  then  with 
rebuke,  and  crescent  vehemence. 

'Nothing'?  'Nothing,'  indeed?  To  nag  and 
torture  him  with  doubts  and  suspicion — that  is 
nothing?  You  hurry  to  him  with  every  new 

[55] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

invention  of  scandal  and  slander — but  that  is 
nothing!  You  din  into  his  ears  the  malicious 
prattle  of  club,  cafe,  the  very  street  corner — 
and  that  is  nothing?  You  tell  him  he  is  threat 
ened  with  shame  and  dishonour — destroy  his 
peace  of  mind — kill  his  faith  in  everything  he 
holds  dearest  and  sweetest — the  wife  adored — 
the  friend  cherished — and  that  is  nothing !  You 
drag  into  his  house  the  mire  of  the  streets — 
stamp  it  on  his  hearth-stone — and  when  you 
have  maddened  him  by  the  infamy,  you  bid  him 
'be  calm'  because  'it  is  nothing' — 'really  noth 
ing'  !  Look — 

[Pointing  to  JULIAN. 

his  face  drawn  by  anguish — and  the  tears  we 
saw  in  Teodora's  eyes — they  are  nothing? 

SEVERO 
No,  not  to  you — else  you'd  end  it  all. 

EENESTO 

I'll  hunt  out  these  traducers — I  only  wait  Julian's 
word — to  begin  with  them. 

SEVERO 

There's  a  simpler  way  and  a  quicker  one — leave 
here! 

[56] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

{Coming  between  them. 
Severe,  /  am  master  in  this  house — 

SEVERO 

[Waving   JULIAN    aside;    to   ERNESTO. 
Leave  here!    That  will  end  it ! 

ERNESTO 

Right!  I  leave  this  house  to-day.  I  leave  the 
country  the  moment  my  affairs  are  arranged. 

JULIAN 

And  I  forbid  one  and  both. — What !  Justify  their 
slander — lend  colour  to  their  lies,  by  running 
away?  Let  them  think  they've  frightened  us — 
or  shamed  us?  What  has  come  over  you,  Don 
Severo — to  suggest  such  a  course? 

[To   ERNESTO. 

You  remain  here — with  us — and  our  life  goes 
on  as  before. — Just  as  before! 

ERNESTO 

That  is  impossible,  Julian.  Things  will  never 
again  be  as  they  were.  For  no  fault  of  our  own 
— for  nothing  we  have  done — or  should  ever  do 

[57] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

— those  dear  days  are  over.  There's  come  into 
our  lives  a  subtle,  insidious,  venomous  poison, 
stronger  than  we  are — stronger  than  our  faith, 
our  trust,  stronger  even  than  our  friendship. — 
That  is  the  meanest  part  of  calumny — you  fight 
it — you  vanquish  it — but  you  carry  a  scar 

[Beats  Ms  heart. 

that  never  heals! — Don  Severe  is  right — it  is 
for  me  to  go. 

SEVEEO 

Without  question — and  without  delay. — (Disdain- 
fully.)  And  if  you  haven't  the  ready  means, 
my  brother  will  supply  them. 

ERNESTO,  indignantly 

Don  Severe,  you  seem  bent  on  insulting  me! — 
You  are  Julian's  brother,  and  I  love  him — but 
you  presume  too  far — 

JULIAN,  interposing 

No,  no — he  meant  kindly. — I'm  sure  my  brother 
doesn't  forget  what  I  owe  Ernesto's  father. 

SEVEEO 

Repay  it,  then — as  freely  as  you  like — but  not  at 
[58] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

the  price  of  our  place  before  the  world — and 
your  career. 

JULIAN,  impatiently 

I'll  not  listen  to  you. 

[Starts  to  leave. 

EENESTO 
[Stopping  him. 

But  you  must,  Julian — there's  no  going  back  now 
— the  mischief  has  been  done. 

[JULIAN  makes  a  gesture  of  protest. 

Oh,  yes — the  very  words  he  has  just  spoken — 
the  fact  that  we've  had  to  hear  them — proves  it 
— and  that  we,  in  turn,  speak  of  them,  proves 
it  the  more. — It  were  folly  for  you  and  me  to 
ignore  a  foe  that  has  already  disarmed  us,  even 
before  we  dreamed  of  attack,  and  put  us  at  the 
mercy  of  malice  and  stupidity! 

[The  last  word  is  thrown  at  SEVERO. 

SEVERO 

Call  it  what  you  please ! — But  I  will  stop  at  noth 
ing,  I  warn  you,  to  end  a  condition  I  believe 
dangerous  to  Julian's  happiness  and  position. 

SERVANT,  announcing 
Captain  Beaulieu. 

[59] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 
[To   SERVANT. 

Yes — show  Captain  Beaulieu  in — then  tell  Ma 
dame. 

[SERVANT  goes  out. 

JULIAN 
[After  a  slight  pause. 

Now,  see  to  what  we  have  come  here!  Misunder 
standing — bitterness — ugly  words,  where  be 
fore  was  good-will,  and  cheer,  and  good-fellow 
ship. — And  all  through  the  idle  gossip  of  people 
who  care  nothing  for  us — and  we  less  for 
them. — Now  let's  have  an  end  of  it — and  of 
your  talk  of  leaving  us ! 

[CAPTAIN    BEAULIEU    enters:    JULIAN 
crosses  to  greet  him. 

BEAULIEU 
[To    JULIAN. 

So  glad  of  this  chance  to  see  you  before  you  leave. 
When  do  you  go? 

JULIAN 

That   rests  with  the  Foreign   Office,   Captain. 
[60] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[JULIAN,  at  a  nod  from  SEVERO,  joins 
the  latter  on  the  balcony  where  they  walk 
to  and  fro,  in  animated  conversation. 

BEAULIEU 

[To  ERNESTO. 

How  stands  the  Embassy  matter? 

ERNESTO,  confused 
Why — I — don't  quite  know — 

BEAULIEU 

Still  wabbles,  eh? 

ERNESTO 

I  believe  so. 

BEAULIEU 

I  thought  as  much. 

ERNESTO,  alert 
You've  heard  something? 

BEAULIEU 

[Glances  toward  the  others. 

No,  no,  but  when  I  came  in — I  thought  I  smelt 
[61] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

powder. — But  that  may  be  only  this  over-sensi 
tive,  diplomatic  nose  of  mine. — Of  course,  we 
never  mix  up  in  these  matters — officially — but 
you  know  I'm  awfully  fond  of  Don  Julian  and 
you  and  Donna  Teodora — and  I  like  Donna 
Mercedes  and  little  Pepito — all  the  family  in 
fact,  with  possibly  one  exception — whom,  of 
course,  I  won't  mention  by  name,  except  to  say 
I'd  never  take  him  for  Don  Julian's  brother. 
But  you  know  who's  making  all  the  trouble, 
don't  you? 

EENESTO 

Do  you,  Captain? 

BEAULIEIT 

Everyone  does — it's  the  Marquis  Alvarez.  He's 
been  pulling  wires  at  our  Legation — or,  rather, 
trying  to. — But  he  got  precious  little  satis 
faction — and  I  dropped  a  hint  if  that  sort  of 
work  went  on,  I'd  go  to  the  Queen — she's  Eng 
lish,  God  bless  her! — and  ask  fair  play  for 
Julian. 

ERNESTO 

Thank  you — you're  very  good. 
[62] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

And  you  won't  mind  a  bit  of  counsel,  from  a 
fellow  who  likes  you? 

ERNESTO 

I'll  be  grateful. 

BEAULIEU 

Well,  then — don't  let  Alvarez  draw  you. 

EENESTO 

Draw? — What  do  you  mean? 

BEAULIEU 

Don't  play  into  his  hands  by  an  open  quarrel. 
That's  his  game — from  what  I  gather — to  push 
matters  to  an  explosion — and  involve  Julian  in 
the  crash — 

ERNESTO 

Yes,  so  it  would  seem. — But  it's  really  at  me  he's 
striking — over  Julian's  head — 

BEAULIEU 
[As  if  enlightened. 
Oho!    That  complicates  matters. 
[63] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

On  the  contrary — simplifies  them. — Alvarez  will 
quiet  down  the  moment  I'm  out  of  the  way. 

BEAULIETJ,  surprised 
'Out  of  the  way!' — Where  are  you  going,  boy? 

EENESTO 
South  America — the  Rio  Plata  region. 

BEAULIEU,  gaily 

The  Argentine!  I've  been  there.  Delightful 
country! — Almost  as  many  rainy  days  as  Lon 
don. — Jolly  lot  of  people — and  excellent  beef! 

[With  sudden  change  to  seriousness. 
And  when  did  this  happen? 

EENESTO 

Oh,  some  time  ago  I  decided  on  leaving  Madrid — 
My  father  had  interests  out  there — mines  and 
a  tea-plantation — and  I'm  going  to  look  up  the 
stray  ends  of  the  estate — 

BEAULIEU 

Soon? 

[64] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

I'm  sailing  in  a  week  or  two,  at  the  latest. 

BEAULIEU,  impulsively 
Good ! 

[Correcting   himself. 
I  beg  your  pardon — 

[TEODORA  and  MERCEDES,  followed  by 
PEPITO,  appear  at  the  balcony-entrance. 

You  understand? 

ERNESTO 
Of  course — and — thanks ! 

[BEAULIEU  goes  to  meet  TEODORA  and 

MERCEDES. 

PEPITO 

[Comes  down  to  ERNESTO  and  leans  across 
the  table,  half  whispering. 

You're  not  angry  with  me? 

ERNESTO 

No,  no,  boy,  of  course  not — you  meant  no  harm. 
[65] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

Only  told  you  those  things,  to  put  you  on  your 
guard. 

EENESTO 

Yes,  yes,  it's  all  right. 
[Turns  to  go. 

PEPITO,  persisting 

And  after  all — you  can't  help  it — you  and  Teo — 
if  you've  come  to  care  for  each  other. 

EENESTO 
[Hardly  suppressing  his  frenzy. 

By  God !  Pepito !  Don't  you  say  that — ever  again 
— or  anything  like  it ! 

TEODORA 

[Entering,  to  CAPTAIN  BEAULIEU. 

So  glad  Don  Ernesto  thought  to  ask  you  to  dine 
with  us. 

BEAULIEU 

And  I.  Most  of  the  Legation  people  are  En- 
vacances.  I  don't  know  what  to  do  with  myself 
evenings. 

[66] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

Then  maybe  you'll  come  on  to  the  opera  with  us? 

BEAULIEU 

For    your    charming    company — thanks. — What 
particular  form  does  the  trouble  take  to-night? 

TEODORA,  perplexed 
Why?— 

BEAULIEU 

One  of  my  stock  jokes,  dear  lady. — What's  the 
opera,  I  mean? 

TEODORA 

'Galeoto.' 

BEAULIEU 

Don't  know  it — new? 

TEODORA 

Quite — the  season's  one  novelty. 

BEAULIEU 

One  o'  those  awful  made-in-Germany  affairs? 
[67] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

Oh,  no — Italy — the  new  school. 

BEAULIEU 

Heavy  ? 

TEODORA 

Au  contraire. 

[Music  is  heard  through  the  balcony  win- 


There,   that   answers   you!     The   street  bands 
have  it  now — and  the  barrel  organs  in  a  week. 

[All  listen  for  a  few  seconds  to  the  music. 


BEAULIEU 

Yes,  I  think  I'm  up  to  that. 

SEVERO 
Do  you  have  much  opera  in  London? 

BEAULIEU 

Not  enough  to  hurt,  thank  Heaven !  You  know 
there  never  was  a  people  who  loved  music  who 
could  fight. 

MERCEDES 

Oh,  Captain — the  Germans,  they  love  music. 
[68] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Oh,  but  bless  you,  dear  lady,  what  they  think  is 
music  isn't  music — 

[With  assurance, 
not  as  we  English  understand  music! 

TEODORA 

The  Russians,  then?  Their  composers  are  doing 
wonders — running  away  from  their  rivals. 

BEAULIEU 

They  did  that  at  Port  Arthur,  too,  and  at  Muk 
den — as  many  as  could  get  away. — No — the 
best  fighters  we  English  ever  met  were  the 
Boers — and  can  you  imagine  a  Dutch  Boer  sing 
ing  grand-opera  or  playing  the  harp? 

SEVERO,  proudly 
But  we  Spaniards  also  love  music. 

BEAULIEU 

{Disconcerted  for  a  moment. 

Ah,  thank  you — the  exception  that  proves  my 
rule. — Until  this  moment  I  never  could  think 
of  one. 

[To  TEODORA. 

Tell  me — the  opera  to-night — in  Spanish? 
[69] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

Oh,  no,  the  original — you  know  Italian? 

BEAULIEU 

Not  much — Vostra  Eccelenza — and  Bella  Sig- 
norina — and  of  course,  Chianti  and  that  sort 
of  thing.— What's  it  about? 

TEODOEA 

Oh,  no,  that'll  spoil  the  surprise. 

BEAULIEU 

Yes,  but  I'll  spoil  your  evening,  with  no  end  of 
questions — and  have  them  hissing  at  our  box. 

TEODORA 

It's  the  story  of  Francesca  and  Paolo. 

BEAULIEU 

I'm  lost  again. 

EENESTO 

The  same  story  as  your  English  Launcelot  and 
Guinevere. 

BEAULIEU 

Oh,  yes,  I  remember  them — never  could  spell  their 
[70] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

names  right — But  I  don't  recall  the  'Galeoto' 
Johnny ! 

TEODOEA 

He's  in  Dante's  story. 

BEAUL.IEU 

The  usual  'other  fellow,'  eh? — Sings  tenor? 

EENESTO 

No,  Galeoto  is  the  go-between — the  mischief- 
maker.  He  brings  Francesca  and  Paolo  the 
gossip  of  the  court — the  quips  and  jests  and 
wanton  rhymes  that  play  about  them. — To  each 
in  turn,  he  tells  the  general  report  of  the  other's 
love — meaning  no  harm,  of  course!  Oh,  no! — 
And  when  they  flout  his  story — he  says:  'Look 
about  you!  What  does  that  side-glance  mean, 
as  you  pass,  the  nudge — the  grin — the  shrug 
of  shoulder — the  flippant  word  thrown  after?' 
Little  by  little  he  has  Francesca  and  Paolo 
seriously  concerned, — at  first  each  for  self,  and 
then  for  each  other ! 

TEODORA,  lightly 
That's  the  crux  of  the  opera ! 

BEAULIEU,  approvingly 
Pretty  idea! 

[71] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[Continuing  with  more  fervour. 

In  the  end,  you  see  a  man  and  woman,  at  first 
indifferent,  thrown  into  each  other's  arms,  ut 
terly  despite  themselves,  by  the  subtle,  insidious, 
fiendish  power  of  trifles. — The  arch  passion 
flaming  up  in  souls  that,  unmanned  by  scandal, 
would  have  flickered  on  forever,  harmlessly,  in 
nocently — ignorant  of  evil — except  for  'Gale- 
oto'— 

SEVEEO 

Who,  if  the  truth  were  known,  only  did  his  duty. 

BEAULIEU 

Well,  I  call  him  a  rotter,  a  perfect  rotter ! — Sings 
bass,  I'll  wager. 

SEVEEO,  drily 

For  all  that,  Captain,  the  world  will  always  be 
lieve  'where  there's  smoke  there's  fire.' 

BEAULIETT 

Yes — but  what  the  world  takes  for  smoke  is  very 
often  nothing  but  dust  kicked  up  by  a  lot  of 
busy-bodies. 

[72] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Turning  to  ERNESTO. 
I  thought  I  smelt  powder! 

[FOOTMEN  draw  aside  the  curtains  of  the 
balcony-doors,  disclosing  the  dinner-table, 
splendid  with  silver,  candelabra  and  -flow 
ers.  Suspended  above  the  table  is  a  large 
antique  lantern. 

FIRST  FOOTMAN,  advancing 
Dinner  is  served! 

[TEODORA,  ERNESTO,  CAPTAIN  BEAU- 
LIEU  and  PEPITO  walk  slowly  toward  the 
balcony,  chatting  animatedly.  They  stop 
by  the  open  doors. 

MERCEDES 
[To  JULIAN. 

Oh,  we  dine  on  the  balcony? 

JULIAN 

You  think  it's  too  cool? 

MERCEDES 

No,  but— 

[In  a  lower  voice. 
Where  everyone  can  see? 
[73] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[With  a  surprised  look  at  SEVEEO. 
Well,  upon  my  word! 

SEVEEO 
You  know  the  Alvarez  live  just  across  the  street. 

MEECEDES 

[With  a  nod  toward  EENESTO  and  TEO- 
DOEA. 

And  they  watch  every  little  thing  that  goes  on 
here. 

JULIAN 

Well,  what  of  it?  What  goes  on  here  they 
shouldn't  see?  They  or  anyone  else — 

[MEECEDES  shrugs  her  shoulders. 

Do  you  suppose  I'm  going  to  alter  my  house, 
my  ways — because  loose  tongues  and  light 
minds  choose  to — 

MEECEDES 

No,  of  course  not !  But  since  they  are  all  so  eager 
to  talk,  why  give  them  any  excuse,  even  the 
flimsiest? 

[74] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

If  for  nothing  else,  to  show  how  we  despise  their 
talk — how  little  it  touches  us. — This  house 
might  be  of  glass  for  all  they  could  see  to  our 
discredit. 

[Calling. 

Captain  Beaulieu,  will  you  take  in  the  Donna 
Mercedes  ? 

[BEAULIEU    gives    his  arm    to    MERCE- 
DES. 

Ernesto — 

[ERNESTO  continues  in  lively  conversation 
with  TEODORA,  and  takes  no  notice. 

[In  a  louder  tone. 
Ernesto ! 

[ERNESTO  still  does  not  hear. 
[Calling  again  with  some  temper. 
Ernesto ! 

ERNESTO 

[Lightly,  turning  and  coming  to  him. 
Hello,  what  is  it? 

[75] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

I  called  you  three  times. 

ERNESTO 

I  beg  pardon — I  didn't  hear — we  were  so  inter 
ested — 

JULIAN 
Evidently — yes ! 

ERNESTO 

[After  a  pause. 
Well,  well,  Julian — what  do  you  wish? 

JULIAN 

[Looking  at  him  closely. 
Why — take  in  Teodora ! 

[ERNESTO  and  TEODORA  join  the  others 
on  the  balcony. 

JULIAN 

[To  SEVERO,  after  a  pause. 
What  do  you  suppose  they  were  talking  about? 

SEVERO,  viciously 
'Galeoto,'  of  course! 

[76] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Gazing  after  them. 
Did  you  notice — he  didn't  hear  me? 

SEVERO 
You  called  him  only  three  times. 

JULIAN 

Yes,  three  times  I  had  to  call  him. — I  wonder  why 
— h'm — Severe,  why? 

[Seizes  SEVERO'S  hand,  tensely. 

SEVERO 

[With  a  smile  of  triumph. 
Ah,  you're  beginning  to  see — at  last! 

JULIAN 

[Pulling  himself  together.    Passes  his  right 
hand  over  his  brow  as  if  to  get  rid  of  an 
ugly  thought. 
No,  no,  no! 

[Drops  SEVER  o's  hand  excitedly. 

There's  nothing  to  see.     Only  for  a  moment — 
God  forgive  me — I  caught  your  madness — 

[77] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

[Calling  from  the  balcony. 
Julian. 

JULIAN 
Come — they're  waiting — and,  brother, 

[Lightly. 

never  again,  if  you  love  me,  one  word  of  these 
— phantoms ! 

[Laughingly. 

— phantoms ! 

[There  is  animated  chatter  and  laughter  at 
the  table. 


CURTAIN 


[78] 


ACT  II 


THE  SCENE  is  ERNESTO'S  lodgings,  in  a  small 
hotel  attached  to  a  popular  cafe.  The  furnish 
ings,  though  meagre  and  time-worn,  give  the 
room  the  air  of  a  studio.  Double  doors  at  the 
right  lead  to  the  public  hallway:  at  the  back, 
towards  the  left,  is  a  similar  door  opening  into 
the  bedroom,  while  towards  the  right  there  is  a 
casement  window,  with  a  striped  awning,  and  a 
flower-box  on  the  sill.  On  the  left,  a  door  leads 
into  a  corridor  which  is  set  at  an  angle. 

The  general  appearance  of  the  room  indicates 
preparations  for  ERNESTO'S  departure:  the  book 
cases  are  almost  emptied  of  their  contents,  and  the 
mantelpiece  stripped  of  pictures  and  photographs. 
On  the  floor  are  trunks  and  boxes,  some  open,  some 
closed  and  strapped.  Clothes  and  other  articles 
are  scattered  about. 

When  the  curtain  rises,  ERNESTO  is  putting 
books  and  papers  in  a  travelling  bag.  GENARO 
enters,  humming  or  singing  the  waltz  from  "Gal- 
eoto,"  which  the  band  is  playing  in  the  cafe  gar 
den  below.  He  breaks  off  the  song  instantly  on 
teeing  ERNESTO. 

[79] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Who  is  it,  Genaro? 

GENARO 

The  young  Don  Pepito. 

PEPITO 

[Entering  briskly. 
Are  you  in,  Ernesto  ? 

ERNESTO 

Of  course,  boy ! 

PEPITO 

[Indicating  GENARO. 
He   wasn't   certain — Beaulieu's   waiting  below — 

[Goes  to  the  door  and  calls  out. 
Captain !     Only  one  more  flight ! 

[Signals  to  him. 

ERNESTO 

[To    GENARO. 

Ask  Captain  Beaulieu  to  be  good  enough  to  come 
up — and,  Genaro,  close  the  window — 

[80] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

GENAEO 

Excellent  music,  to-day,  sir. 

PEPITO 
They're  playing  'Galeoto.' 

ERNESTO 
Yea,  yes — but  I  don't  care  to  hear  it,  to-day — 

[GENARO,  in  response  to  a  gesture  from 
ERNESTO,  closes  the  window  and  goes  out. 

PEPITO 
[With  feeling. 
No  more  do  I,  Ernesto — 

[Noting  the  preparations  for  departure. 
Can't  that  wait? 

ERNESTO 

No — they'll  be  coming  for  the  trunks,  presently. 
—Why? 

PEPITO 

Oh,  I  don't  know — but  somehow — 

[Touches  his  eye  furtively. 
I  don't  like  to  see  you — When  do  you  go? 
[81] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

To-night — I  leave  Madrid — forever ! 

PEPITO,  protesting 
Oh,  no ! 

EENESTO,  firmly 
Yes,  Pepito — forever! 

[GENARO  is  heard  singing. 
There's  Beaulieu. 

BEAULIEU 

[Heard  speaking  to  GEN  ABO. 
All  right — I'll  find  my  way. 

[Enters,  breathing  hard  and  fanning  him- 
self. 

Regular    song-bird,    isn't    he,    that    landlord? 
What's  the  idea? 

EENESTO 

An   old   custom   of   the   house,   he  says — handed 
down  from  father  to  son. 

[82] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEATJLIEU 

[Throwing  himself  in  a  chair,  wearily. 
Pretty  idea ! 

[Fanning  himself. 

By  Jove,  three  years  in  India  take  it  out  of  a 
fellow ! 

PEPITO,  chaffingly 

Not  you !    At  an  Embassy  ball  I've  seen  you  dance 
half  the  men  off  the  floor. 

BEAULIEU 

Oh,  that's  in  the  line  of  duty,  my  boy. 
[Crosses  to  ERNESTO. 

But  climbing  three  flights  of  stairs  to  bid  bon 
voyage  to  a  fellow  you're  fond  of,  is  mere 
pleasure! 

ERNESTO 

Really,  Captain? 

BEAULIEU 

Well,  you  know  what  I  mean. — But  I'm  hoping 
Julian  may  induce  you  to  change  your  plans. 

ERNESTO 

Nothing  could  induce  me  to  remain  in  Madrid. 
[83] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


BEAULIEU 

But  go  with  him,  I  mean. — The  Embassy  matter's 
settled,  you  know. 


ERNESTO 

[Somewhat  embarrassed. 

No — I — I — haven't  seen  Julian  for  some  days. — 
I  must  send  him  a  line  at  once — to  tell  him 
how  glad  I  am — 

[Sits  at  the  desk  preparing  to  write. 
He  might  have  let  me  know. 

[Writes. 

BEAULIEU 

It  was  announced  only  this  morning — at  least, 
we  only  got  the  news  then  at  our  legation. 

ERNESTO 

[As  he  writes. 

Thank  you  for  bringing  me  word.  It  will  lighten 
my  dismal  journey  immensely.  For  all  his  seem 
ing  not  to  care,  I  know  Julian's  heart  was  set 
on  this  appointment. 

PEPITO 

And  he  can  thank  you  for  it. 
[84] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO,  laughing 
How  on  earth  do  7  figure  in  it? 

PEPITO 

Just  because  you're  out  of  it.  Why,  the  moment 
it  got  about  that  you  weren't  going  as  Secre 
tary,  all  opposition  ended,  and  Julian's  appoint 
ment  was  confirmed.  Isn't  that  so,  Captain? 

BEAU  LIEU,  curtly 
Don't  know  anything  about  it. 

PEPITO 
Well,  anyway,  that's  what  they  say. 

EENESTO 

[Sealing  the  note. 
Oh,  'that's  what  they  say?' 
[Rises. 

PEPITO 

Yes,  and  they  say,  too — Alvarez  is  raging — 
You've  cut  the  ground  from  under  his  feet. 

ERNESTO 

[To    BEAULIEU. 

You  see  I  was  right,  Captain. 
[85] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU,  nodding 

I  suppose  so. — I  say,  it's  to  Buenos  Ayres  you're 
going? 

ERNESTO 

For  a  while,  yes. 

BEAULIEU 

I've  brought  you  letters  to  some  people  out  there 
— may  be  of  service — until  you  get  acquainted — 

[Running  through  three  or  four  letters. 

These  chaps  '11  put  you  up  at  a  club  or  two — 
and  this  letter's  to  my  sister  and  her  husband 
— he's  in  our  Legation  there.  '  Trump  of  a  fel 
low! 

V 

ERNESTO 

[Deeply  moved. 

Letters  to  your  people ! — Beaulieu,  I  don't  dare  to 
tell  you  how  grateful  I  am — 

PEPITO,  exuberantly 
I'll  do  it  for  you — 

[Takes  a  step  toward  BEAULIEU. 

Captain,  if  you  were  a  Spaniard,  like  Ernesto 
and  myself — I'd  kiss  you. 

[86] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIPE 

BEAU  LIEU,  retreating 

Pretty  idea! — But  there's  nothing  Spanish  in  my 
family ! 

PEPITO 
I'm  going  to  tell  my  father  what  you've  done. 

BEAULIEU 

Pretty  idea,  too! 

[With  some  temper. 
But  I  don't  think  you  need  bother. 

PEPITO 
[With  feeling. 
Oh,  don't  blame  my  father  for  what's  happened — 

[To  EENESTO. 
You  don't,  Ernesto? 

EENESTO 

[With  kindness. 

No  one's  to  blame — and  nothing  has  happened. 
[87] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

It  would  have — if  you'd  stayed  here — and  the  talk 
kept  up.  There  was  bound  to  be  a  quarrel  with 
somebody. 

ERNESTO,  bitterly 
Yes,  with  somebody. 

PEPITO 
Alvarez,  probably. 

ERNESTO,  listlessly 
Yes — Alvarez — 

PEPITO 
And  my  father  wanted  to  avoid  that. 

BEAULIEU,  explosively 
Then,  why  in  thunder  didn't  he  mind  his  own — 

[With  a  sudden  change  of  tone,  as  if  to 
himself. 

Pretty  idea — why  don't  I? 

ERNESTO 
[As  if  explaining  to  BEAULIEU. 

After  all,  Don  Severe  may  really  believe  he's  act 
ing  for  the  best. 

[88] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

My  father's  of  the  old  school — he  hasn't  travelled, 
Beaulieu,  like  you  and  I — hasn't  seen  the  world 
—the  great  world.  Some  of  his  notions  I  don't 
approve — 

BEAULIEU,  chaffingly 
No? 

PEPITO 

Wears  low  collars  at  the  opera — and  won't  have 
the  champagne  iced. — But,  between  ourselves, 
here — I'm  not  so  certain  he's  wrong  in  this 
matter. 

EENESTO 

[Pausing  in  his  work  of  putting  things  in 
a  trunk. 

What  do  you  mean,  Pepito? 

PEPITO 

Well,  of  course,  the  world  says  you  musn't  watch 
your  wife — or  keep  a  curb  on  her. — You  must 
let  her  do  as  she  pleases.  Because,  if  you  don't, 
she  will,  anyway — and  a  bit  more  so!  Well, 

[89] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

some  fine  morning — or  evening — she  does  do  as 
she  pleases,  and  then  the  world  says:  'Well,  it 
served  her  husband  right!  What  could  he  ex 
pect?  He  always  let  her  do  just  as  she 
pleased !' 

GENARO,  entering 
A  messenger  from  Sefior  Moreno. 

ERNESTO 
Yes? 

GENARO 

He's  waiting  for  you  at  the  Alcazar  Cafe. 

ERNESTO 

Yes — say  I'll  be  over  at  once — And,  have  this  sent 
immediately. 

[GENARO  goes  out. 

BEAU  LIEU,  questioning 
Moreno?    Who's  he? 

ERNESTO 

The  steamship  agent — to  arrange  about  my  ticket 
and  baggage — 

[Takes  "his  hat  as  if  to  go. 
I  won't  be  long — 

[90] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

[Stopping  him. 
The  Alcazar!    Oh,  don't  go  over  there — 

ERNESTO 
But  I've  an  appointment — 

PEPITO 
Well,  I'll  go  for  you— 

ERNESTO 

But — why? 

PEPITO 

You're  sure  to  run  into  Alvarez  and  his  crowd — 
they're  always  there — 

ERNESTO 
Well?— 

BEAULIEU 

Pepito's  right. — Let  him  go  for  you. 

ERNESTO 

Nonsense!    I'll  only  be  there  a  few  minutes. 
[91] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Well,  then,  I'll  go  with  you. 

ERNESTO 

[Fondly,  with  arm  on  BEAULIEU 's  shoul 
der. 

Dear  old  Beaulieu — 

[Laughing  lightly. 
You'd  think  I  was  still  a  boy. 

BEAULIEU 

Gad!     You  Latin   fellows  never   get  over  being 
boys.     Come  along! 

ERNESTO 
[At  the  door. 

Pepito,  while  I'm  gone,  you   might   throw   some 
things  in  that  chest,  for  me — those  books — 

[Points  to  the  books  on  the  table. 
the  pictures — 

[Points  to  the  pictures  on  the  cabinet. 

any  odds  and  ends — if  you  will. — And,  Pepito, 
in  the  room  at  the  end  of  that  corridor — 

[92] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Goes  to  the  door  on  the  left,  and  indicates 
room. 

you'll  find  my  foils  and  fencing  traps — will  you 
fetch  them,  like  a  good  fellow? 

[Goes  out  with  BEAULIEU. 


PEPITO 
Yes,  I'll  have  them  ready. 

[He  gathers  together  various  articles  from 
the  table  and  book-cases  and  puts  them  m 
the  travelling-chest  and  trunks.  Now  and 
then  he  stops  and  listens  to  the  music  heard 
very  faintly  from  the  cafe  below.  He  goes 
to  the  window,  and  opens  it,  so  that  the 
music  is  heard  more  distinctly.  Going  to  the 
cabinet,  he  picks  up  two  or  three  picture- 
frames  and  looks  at  them. 

Ernesto's  father — Don  Florio — 
[Looks  at  another. 

One  of  me — taken  in  Havana — Don  Julian — 
and  the  frame's  mate  empty.  Teo's  picture 
used  to  be  there.  Well,  he's  right — better  keep 
reminders  out  of  sight. 

[93] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Puts  frames  in  one  of  the  chests.  Picks 
up  a  book  from  the  table  near-by,  and 
reads  the  title — 'Dante — The  Divine  Com 
edy.9 

[A  photograph  falls  from  the  book.  He 
picks  it  up,  and  looks  at  it. 

H'm — Teo — Trala,  she  is  a  beauty!  I  don't 
wonder  Julian  is  in  love  with  her. 

[Pause. 

And  it  wouldn't  be  a  wonder  if  Ernesto — We'll 
put  it  back  in  the  book — 

[As  he  does  so  he  notices  writing  on  the 
back  of  the  picture. 

Verses — Ernesto's    writing — No — not   verses — 
[Reads. 

'Now  and  then,  Fate  leads  two  weak  humans 
face  to  face,  and  says  "You  twain  are  mates" 
— "You  belong  together — body  and  soul" — 
And  when  that  happens — as  with  Francesca  and 
Paolo — faith — loyalty,  pride  are  vain  words. 
Love  doesn't  heed  them,  nor  even  hear  them. 
When  that  happens — ' 

[GENARO  is  heard  singing. 

[Continuing,  as  he  puts  the  picture  in  the 
[94] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

book,  and  throws  the  book  into  a  trunk, 
which  he  closes  with  a  bang. 

'When  that  happens' — trunks  can't  be  packed 
too  quickly! 

[Goes  out  hastily  through  the  door  open 
ing  into  the  corridor. 

[GENARO  enters,  humming  or  singing  as 
usual,  followed  by  JULIAN  and  SEVEBO. 

JULIAN 

[Looking  about. 
Don  Ernesto  is  out? 

GENAEO 

Would  seem  so. 

[Resumes  singing  and  crosses  to  the  door 

of  the  bed-room,  looking  in. 
Not  in  his  bed-room,  either.    He  must  just  have 
gone. 

SEVERO 

[Annoyed  by  the  singing. 
If  you  please,  my  good  fellow — 

GENARO,  turnmg 

I  beg  pardon,  a  custom  of  the  house — A  custom  of 
[95] 


THE      WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

the    house,    Sir — understood    by    our    regular 
guests,  and  I  believe  appreciated. 

JULIAN 
Don  Ernesto  is  expected  back  soon? 

GENARO 

Doubtless — at  least,  I  hope  so. 

[Holds  up  a  letter. 
Here's  a  message— just  come — marked  'urgent.' 

JULIAN 

We'll  wait ! 

[PEPITO    enters,    carrying   fencing   foils, 
masks,  etc. 

SEVERO,  surprised 
You  here? 

PEPITO 
Helping  Ernesto  pack  his  traps. 

[To  JULIAN. 
You  wish  to  see  him? 

JULIAN 
At  once. 

[96] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

GENARO 

I'll  send  word  to  the  Alcazar  Cafe. 
[PEPITO  puts  foils  in  case. 

PEPITO,  turning 

He's  gone  to  meet  the  steamship  agent  about  his 
baggage  and  tickets. 

JULIAN 

You  go — tell  him  we  are  here — ask  him  to  come 
as  soon  as  possible. 

[Recalls  PEPITO. 

And,  Pepito,  tell  him  he's  to  cancel  his  steam 
ship  ticket — stop  preparations  for  leaving — 
he's  not  going — 

[With  a  glance  at  SEVEEO. 
tell  him  I  said  so — Be  quick  about  it. 

PEPITO 
I'll  run  every  step. 

[Goes  out  hastily. 

SEVEEO 

[Recalling  GENARO,  who  is  about  to  fol 
low  PEPITO. 

Don  Ernesto  is  sailing? — 
[97] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

GENAEO 

To-morrow. 

SEVERO 

[As  if  to  himself. 
Good. 

GENAEO 

His  trunks  are  'most  ready  now.  He  goes  to-night 
to  Cadiz — there  takes  the  steamer  El  Cid  for 
Buenos  Ayres. 

SEVEEO 

[Half  to  himself. 
Fresh  wind  to  his  sail  and  good  speed! 

GENAEO 

You  are  friends  of  Don  Ernesto? 

[SEVEEO  makes  a  sign  of  impatience. 

JULIAN 

Yes,  Oh,  yes. 

[98] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

GENAEO 

Well,  permit  me  to  say,  gentlemen,  your  friend  is 
a  gentleman.  You  may  take  my  word  for  it. 
A  complete  gentleman. 

SEVEEO 
In  Don  Ernesto's  name  we  thank  you. 

GENAEO 

Yes,  gentlemen,  a  complete  gentleman.  Even 
though  he  drinks  little  wine  and  that  rather 
cheap,  he  is  a  gentleman — you  may  take  my 
word  for  it — no  matter  what  they  say. — Of 
course,  a  person  in  my  position  is  in  the  way  of 
hearing  a  lot  of  gossip. 

[JULIAN  crosses  the  room  as  if  to  get  out 
of  hearing  of  what  is  likely  to  follow. 

But  I  know  enough  not  to  repeat  the  stuff. — 
They  say  for  instance — they  say — 

SEVEEO 
Yes,  they  say? — 

JULIAN 

[As  if  to  dismiss  GENAEO. 
We  don't  care  what  they  say. 
[99] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

GENARO 

No  more  do  I,  Sir.    He's  young,  clever,  good-look 
ing  and  if,  as  they  say — 

[He  places  the  sealed  note  on  the  table,  so 
that  it  can  be  readily  seen  by  SEVERO. 

some  charming  lady  chooses  to  make  a  fool  of 
her  old  husband,  why — I'm  sure  Don  Ernesto 
will  show  himself — a — a — perfect  gentleman. 
You  may  take  my  word  for  it,  gentlemen. 

JULIAN 
[With  a  gesture  of  dismissal. 

Yes,  we'll  take  your  word  if  you'll  be  good  enough 
to  take  your  leave. 

GENARO 

[Takes  the  sherry-decanter  from  the  buffet, 
and  puts  it  on  the  table. 

Certainly. — A  glass  of  Xeres,  perhaps,  while  you 
wait? 

JULIAN 

No,  thank  you. — If  you'll  tell  Don  Ernesto  as  soon 
as  he  enters — 

[100] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


GENAEO 


Certainly — And  will  the  gentlemen  call  the  young 
gentleman's  attention  to  this  note — here  on  the 
table?     It  came  just  after  he'd  gone. 
[Goes  out. 

JULIAN 

[Looking    after    GENAEO,    and    then    at 
SEVERO. 

'They  say'— *  they  say!'— 

SEVERO 

[Takes  the  note  and  thrusts  it  under  JU 
LIAN'S  eyes. 
Do  you  wonder? 

JULIAN,  surprised 
Teodora ! 

SEVERO 

[Turning  the  letter. 
Her  writing — her  seal ! 

JULIAN 

[Takes  the  letter  and  looks  at  it  dubiously. 
After  all — a  farewell. 

[101] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO,  cynically 
Rubbish — A  rendezvous! 

JULIAN,  savagely 
Severo — is  there  no  limit  to  your — 

SEVEEO 

[As  if  in  challenge. 
Read  it — read  it ! 

JULIAN 

[As  if  to  break  the  seal  of  the  letter. 
Yes,  if  only  to  prove — No! 

[Puts  the  letter  back  on  the  table. 
That  were  the  last  meanness! 

SEVERO 

Then  give  it  back — unopened — or  I  shall. 
[Approaches  the  letter. 

JULIAN,  interposing 

It  isn't  yours  to  dispose  of — nor  mine. — Leave  it ! 
I'm  not  afraid. 

SEVERO 

But,  by  God,  I  am  afraid,  I  own  it. 
[102] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

And  I,  too,  am  afraid — 

SEVEEO 
Then,  why — 

JULIAN 

But  Teodora  shall  not  know  I'm  afraid.  For  I'm 
not  afraid  of  her — of  her  love — her  loyalty. — 
But  I  am  afraid  of  myself — of  you — and  Mer 
cedes — Pepito — afraid  of  what  all  this  fear — 
and  doubt — suspicion — and  questioning  may 
work  with  her — 

[SEVEEO  makes  a  gesture  of  impatience. 

JULIAN,  continuing 

Most  of  all  afraid  lest  she  discover  that  my  heart 
shelters  this  story  that  my  lips  deny  and  my  in 
telligence  rejects. — I  know  Teodora — as  no  one 
else  knows  her — She  is  the  proudest  creature  in 
the  world — If  I  must  lose  her  love,  I'll  take  good 
care  not  to  gain  her  contempt. 

SEVERO 
There's  something  worse ! 

[103] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


JULIAN 

No,  that's  the  worst !  Severo,  a  woman  may  de 
spise  her  lover,  and  still  love  him,  but  once  she 
despises  her  husband! — 

SEVERO 

Despise,  indeed!  Because  you  act  the  part  of 
prudence  and  common  sense — Because  you  shut 
out  temptation — opportunity — from  a  wife 
young,  beautiful  and  damnably  romantic — In 
such  a  case,  caution  is  not  cowardice — it's  a 
compliment. 

JULIAN 

To  a  woman  like  Teodora,  it's  an  insult.  She's 
shown  it — from  the  moment  that  man  left  us — 

SEVERO 
He  went  of  his  own  accord. 

JULIAN 

But  /  let  him  go — When  I  should  have  barred  the 
door,  and  said  'No,  no,  I  forbid  it!  The 
stories  are  lies!  These  dangers  are  phantoms 
conjured  by  mischief  or  malice — They'll  scurry 
back  to  the  hell  from  which  they  came,  if  we 
but  look  them  straight  in  the  face' — That, 
Severo,  would  have  been  the  thing  to  do. 

[104] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVEEO 

No!  C'est  magnifique,  mais  ce  n'est  pas  la 
guerre! — Yes,  if  Teodora  didn't  love  him — and 
he  her. 

JULIAN 

[Approaching  SEVEEO,  almost   threaten 
ingly. 
Have  you  gone  mad?    You  believe  that? 

[Turns. 
No!    No! 

[Throws  himself  in  a  chair. 

SEVERO,  coldly 

It  is  no  kindness  to  keep  the  truth  from  you  now. 
You  are  fighting  not  only  lies  and  phantoms — 
that  were  easy  enough ! — but  there's  come  into 
the  hearts  of  this  man  and  woman  a  resistless 
and  relentless  longing — 

JULIAN,  appealingly 
No,  brother — 

SEVERO 

Your  courage  and  chivalry — her  pride — Ernesto's 
faith — if  he  have  any — mean  nothing  now. 
They  love. 

[105] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

No,  no,  you  are  wrong — Ask  Mercedes — 

SEVEEO 

You  ask  Mercedes — Trust  a  woman  to  read  that 
secret. 

JULIAN,  rises 

And  I  let  him  go.  And  you — you — my  brother, 
who  vows  he  loves  and  honours  me — you  stood 
by  and  saw  me  fall  into  that  abyss  of  infamy 
and  folly — You  urged — demanded — that  he  go ! 

SEVERO 

Yes,  and  I'll  not  know  an  hour's  peace  until  he's 
gone. 

JULIAN 

And  I'll  not  know  a  moment's  peace,  after  he's 
gone. 

SEVERO 

For  all  that,  he  must  go ! 
[Sits  at  the  table. 

JULIAN 

No,  he  must  stay! 

[106] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

But,  why — if  she  loves  him — why? 

[With  anger,  and  rebelliously. 

That's  why! — If  I  send  him  away  I  send  her  heart 
and  her  soul  with  him — if  what  you  say  is  true. 
There  remains  here,  with  me,  the  empty  form 
of  a  woman — who  shudders  at  my  approach — 
whose  lips  chill  under  mine — whose  arms  deny 
response  to  my  embrace — whose  eyes,  cold  and 
pitiless,  will  never  know  a  tear  except  for  him — 
the  lover,  forced  from  her  by  the  husband,  jeal 
ous  and  disdained!  Severe — I'm  a  proud  man, 
with  reverence  for  the  name  I  bear,  but  rather 
than  that  torture — dishonour! 

SEVERO 

But  with  him  away,  your  house  is  safe. — And  your 
career,  too !  Events  at  the  Foreign  Office  make 
that  clear  enough;  the  instant  he's  eliminated, 
your  appointment's  confirmed! 

JULIAN 

Yes — and  on  such  terms,  though  only  implied,  I 
declined  it ! — I'll  make  no  compromise  with  slan 
der — not  for  an  Embassy  to  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven! — And  as  for  Ernesto — 

[Sits,  opposite  SEVERO. 
[107] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

He  stays,  I  tell  you!  I  can  fight  the  man  of 
flesh  and  blood — fight  him  with  my  perfect  faith 
— my  devotion  to  her,  my  adoration,  but  I  can't 
fight  the  ideal  creature  she  would  raise  up  to 
take  his  place  once  he's  gone  from  here.  I  can 
fight  the  man — I  can't  fight  the  martyr,  haloed 
by  her  imagination  and  her  pity — He  stays — 
and  I  fight! 

SEVERO,  grimly 
You'll  lose. 

JULIAN 

No,  no ! 

SEVEEO 

Alas!    Yes — you'll  lose! 

JULIAN 

[Hitting  the  table  with  his  hand. 

Be  it  then! — I  lose — if  some  purpose  of  God  or 
devil  wills  it  so — But  I  lose  to  a  man — not  a 
shadow ! 

[BEAULIEU  and  PEPITO  enter. 

PEPITO 

[To  BEAU  LIEU,  indicating  JULIAN  and 
SEVERO. 
Oh,  they're  still  here- — 

[108] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

[To  JULIAN  and  SEVERO. 
Waiting  for  Ernesto? 

SEVEBO 
To  take  our  leave — 

[With  a  glance  at  JULIAN. 
He's  going  to-night! 

PEPITO 
If  he's  lucky! 

[BEAULIEU  nudges  PEPITO  and  motions 
1  silence.9 

JULIAN 

[Seeing  the  movement. 
Lucky ! 

PEPITO,  confused 
I — I — mean  if  nothing  stops  him. 

s  EVE  no,  decisively 
Nothing  will  stop  him. 

[109] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

I  wish  I  felt  as  certain  about  it. 

SEVERO 
You  may. 

BEAULIEU 

Oh,  I've  seen  him  with  the  foils — this  Alvarez. 

JULIAN,  alert 
Alvarez!     Ernesto  and  he — 

PEPITO,  stammering 
Why,  yes,  but — but — you  weren't  to  know. 

JULIAN 

But  now  we  do  know.  They've  quarrelled — 
where  ? 

PEPITO 

At  the  Alcazar — before  a  crowd — 

SEVERO 
The  shame  of  it! — Ernesto  sought  the — 

BEAULIEU 

No,  no!  Did  his  best  to  avoid  it.  Had  an  ap 
pointment  there,  some  business  about  his  sail 
ing.  Alvarez  and  his  friends  had  just  risen  to 

[110] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

go  when  they  caught  sight  of  Ernesto — they 
turned  from  their  table  to  take  another  near 
ours — and  then  they  began ! — 

JULIAN 
Yes,  go  on — 

BEAULIEU 

[Shrugs  his  shoulders. 

Oh,  you  know  that  crowd — what  they  can  do, 
what  they  can  say,  over  a  table;  kill  a  reputa 
tion  between  every  cigarette  puff  and  bring  on 
a  fresh  victim  with  every  change  of  glasses. 
Under  their  hands  the  marble  slab  becomes  a 
dissecting  board.  And  when  they've  done,  it 
might  better  serve  as  a  tombstone  for  the  good 
names  they've  ruined. 

SEVEEO 
Ernesto  should  have  left — 

JULIAN,  thunderingly 
No!    No! 

BEAULIEU 

He  tried  every  way  to  avoid  them — pretended  not 
to  notice.  Looked  only  at  Pepito  and  me — 


[in] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

chattered  like  a  magpie  about  everything  and 
nothing — the  weather,  the  opera,  the  ship  he's 
sailing  on.  But  Alvarez  wouldn't  have  it — 
laughed  in  his  face,  raised  his  voice,  pointed  at 
him ! — I  changed  my  place  so  as  to  get  between 
him  and  Ernesto — and  with  that  the  cur  cried 
out — a  name! 

PEPITO 
Yes,  so  everyone  heard — the  whole  room-full! 

BEAULIEU 
No  holding  Ernesto  after  that! 

JULIAN 
He  struck  him,  then? 

PEPITO 

No,  not  yet — he  wanted  to  be  sure,  quite  sure. 
He  crossed  to  Alvarez'  table,  quivering  like  a 
leaf,  so  he  could  hardly  speak.  'Who  dares,' 
he  asked,  'ridicule  an  honourable  man?'  'You, 
his  friend9 — Alvarez  shouted — 'you  do — you, 
and  the  Donna' — 

JULIAN 

Teodora — Great  God! 

[112] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

No,  he  didn't  say  it!  His  lips  closed  with 
Ernesto's  blow. 

SEVEEO 
With  glove? 

PEPITO 

[Interrupting  gleefully. 

'Glove'  nothing!  tout-a-fait  Anglais — Le  boxe 
— bing ! 

[With  a  gesture  indicating  a  stiff  blow  on 
the  chin. 

[To    BEAULIEU. 

The  upper  slice,  eh? 

BEAULIEU 

Cut,  upper  cut. 

PEPITO,  continuing 

Alvarez  clean  over  the  table — on  the  floor — 
glasses,  bottles,  chairs.  His  friends  put  him  on 
his  feet — and  in  ten  minutes  all  the  details  were 
arranged. 

JULIAN,  joyously 
Good !    And  Ernesto's  seconds  ? 
[113] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

The  Marquis  Acedo  and  Mario  Sanchez. 

JULIAN 
Friends  of  Alvarez? 

PEPITO 

Wasn't  time  to  find  others. 

BEAULIEU 

I  offered — but  Ernesto  said  'no',  I'd  get  in  trou 
ble  with  my  government — 

JULIAN 
And   when — to-morrow? 

PEPITO 

No,  Alvarez   asked  for  to-morrow,  but  Ernesto 
insisted  to-day. 

JULIAN 
The  hour? 

PEPITO,  hesitating 

Ernesto  forbade — 

JULIAN 

Lest  I  take  his  place! — The  time,  Pepito. 
[114] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU,  interposing 

No,  Pepito. 

JULIAN 

But,  why? 

BEAULIEU 

You're  playing  Alvarez'  game  for  him. — Don't 
you  see? — This  is  the  very  thing  he  wanted — 
an  open  esclandre! — Just  what  he's  been  intrigu 
ing  for.  Up  to  now  he's  been  fighting  you  with 
dirty  tattle — gutter  gossip — that  everyone 
knew  to  be  lies !  But  now — with  a  duel  to  dig 
nify  the  talk — he  has  a  different  weapon.  He 
has  sworn  you  shall  not  have  this  appointment. 
He  is  a  violent,  desperate  man — will  go  to  any 
lengths  to  have  his  way — and  you're  playing 
right  into  his  hands !  He  involves  you  in  scan 
dal  so  notorious  and  possibly  so  tragic — no 
government  dare  ignore  it.  A  duel  with  a  rat 
like  that — By  Jove! — It's  sacrilege  to  honest 
steel ! 

SEVEKO 

It  is  the  Spanish  way — for  all  we  love  music ! 

BEAULIEU 

Yes,  but  if  you  don't  mind  my  saying  so,  your 
Spanish  way  is  like  your  Spanish  wine — out  of 
fashion!  Picturesque,  your  Spanish  ways,  but 

[115] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

like  your  old  castles  very  uncomfortable.    Now, 
in  my  country — 

SEVERO 

Cold  blood— all  of  you ! 

BEAULIEU 

Not  all  of  us — don't  you  believe  it !  Scandal 
doesn't  bother  about  the  latitude.  This  sort 
of  thing  happens  with  us,  too — but  we  manage 
differently  and,  I  believe,  better.  See — here, 
a  scamp  does  his  best  to  injure  you — smirches 
your  good  name — spreads  ill  and  lying  reports 
— and  to  avenge  yourself — to  punish  him — you 
let  him  poke  six  inches  of  cold  steel  into  your 
ribs.  Pretty  idea,  if  you  like — but  bad  busi 
ness! 

SEVERO 

But  an  affair  of  honour — 

BEAULIEU 

Oh,  hang  it,  my  dear  fellow,  honour  is  a  thing 
within  one's  self — in  one's  own  watch  and  ward. 
Heaven  forbid  it  should  be  at  the  mercy  of  every 
flippant  tongue  and  evil  mind. 
JULIAN 

[In  a  tone  that  indicates  he  has  already 
answered  his  own  question. 

What  shall  one  do  with  such  a  man  as  Alvarez? 
[116] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Just  what  Ernesto  did — and  more  of  the  same 
sort !  Cane  him,  kick  him,  brand  him — kill  him 
if  you  like — but  don't  let  the  devil  kill  you! 
And  that's  just  what  he'll  do  if  you  give  him 
the  chance. 

JULIAN,  grimly 
No,  he  will  not. 

BEAULIEU 

My  God,  he  will!  He's  the  strongest  arm,  the 
quickest  wrist,  in  Madrid,  to-day. 

JULIAN 
But  not  to-morrow — I  promise  you  that. 

[To  PEPITO. 
When  do  they  meet,  Pepito? 

PEPITO 

[After  a  frightened  glance  at  SEVERO. 
Why — why — four  o'clock. 

JULIAN 

[To   SEVERO,  glancing  hurriedly   at  his 
watch. 

We  have  just  time — come! 

[in] 


THE    WORLD    AND    HIS 

BEAULIEU 
[To   PEPITO. 

You've  blundered,  my  boy. 
PEPITO 

[To    SEVERO. 

Have  I,  father  —  blundered? 

JULIAN,  joyously 
Blundered  ! 

his  hands  on  PEPITO  's  shoulders. 


You  dear,  delightful  boy  —  you've  done  the  best 
day's  work  of  your  life  — 

[Turning  to  SEVERO. 

Severe  —  if  anything  happens  to  me  —  whatever 
happens  —  good  or  bad  —  half  of  everything  I 
have  is  Pepito's  —  all,  if  he  wants  it  —  and  my 
eternal  gratitude  besides! 

SEVERO 
For  what?    Planning  this  holiday? 

JULIAN 
It  is  a  holiday! 

[118] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIPE 

BEAU  LIEU,  warningly 

Please,  please,  Don  Julian,  don't  underrate  your 
opponent.  When  you  face  Alvarez — 

JULIAN 
[In  a  sort  of  nervous  ecstasy. 

Anything,  or  anyone,  just  so  it  is  someone !  Great 
God,  think  of  the  relief — the  relief !  Until  this 
moment,  the  calumny  that  was  all  about  me, 
dogging  my  footsteps,  invading  my  home, 
seated  at  my  table,  stalking  by  my  bed,  pursu 
ing  me,  asleep,  awake — every  minute  of  the  day 
and  night — until  this  moment,  I  could  not  reach 
it  or  lay  hands  on  it.  It  was  nothing — no  one ! 
Because  it  was  everyone.  But  now,  this  subtle, 
elusive,  poisonous  mist — this  will-o'-the-wisp 
that  stung  me,  escaped,  and  mocked  me — now 
it  has  taken  a  body,  shape  and  being,  whom 
I  can  lay  hands  on  and  hold  face  to  face!  It 
is  no  longer  a  ghost — It's  a  man — Alvarez! 
Do  you  wonder  I  am  overjoyed? — Come, 
Severe ! 

[Goes  out  quickly  with  his  arm  in  SEVE- 
EO'S  ;  their  voices  are  heard,  mingled  with 
laughter,  as  they  pass  down  the  hall-way. 

BEAULIEU 

[Calling  after  JULIAN. 
God  be  with  you — gallant  gentleman.  The  other — 

[119] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Pointing  downward. 
Will  be  with  Alvarez. 
[After  a  pause,  to  PEPITO. 
We've  done  it,  my  boy. 

PEPITO 

No — it's  all  right — Alvarez  won't  fight  Julian — 
not  until  he's  met  Ernesto. 

BEAULIEU 

Are  you  sure? 

PEPITO 
Of  course — it's  the  code! 

BEAULIEU 

Much  he  cares   for  the  code — that  blackguard! 

PEPITO 
[With  an  air  of  authority. 

Oh,  well,  Captain — Alvarez  may  be  blackguard, 
as  you  say,  but  for  all  that,  he's  gentleman. 
Why,  can't  you  see?  Suppose  he  allowed  Ju 
lian  to  kill  or  disable  him — that  wouldn't  be  fair 
to  Ernesto.  He  has  the  prior  right. 

[120] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

[Holding  up  a  glass  of  sherry. 
Here's  he'll  make  the  most  of  it! 

PEPITO 

And  if  not — Julian  can  take  care  of  himself.  This 
Alvarez,  you  know  what  he  is? — what  they  say 
in  London — a  cat!  A  bouncer! 

BEAULIEU 
Cad,  Pepito,  cad — and  bounder — not  bouncer! 

PEPITO 
You  know  what  I  mean — he  boasts  and  blusters. 

BEAULIEU 

Yes,  you've  a  lot  here  like  that — boast  and  blus 
ter,  but,  hang  it !  when  they  get  a  sword  in  their 
hand,  they're  as  good  as  their  word — and  bet 
ter. 

PEPITO 

He'll  have  to  be — when  Ernesto  knows  that  Julian 
follows  him — 

BEAULIEU 

He  mustn't  know. 

[121] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

But  he's  sure  to  learn — 

BEAULIEU 

After  his  own  affair — well  and  good!  But  not 
one  word  now — would  only  unnerve  him — excite 
him — 

PEPITO 

[As  if  struck  by  an  idea. 

Beaulieu — I  don't  care  what  people  say — you're 
no  fool ! 

BEAULIEU 

Pretty  idea!  Thank  you  kindly — And  if  you'll 
accept  it  as  mere  courtesy,  I'll  return  the  com 
pliment — provided  you  follow  my  counsel  and 
say  nothing  to  disturb  Ernesto. — The  poor  fel 
low  has  more  than  his  share,  now — and  for 
what?  What  has  he  done—? 

PEPITO 

Captain — I  can  speak  with  you  frankly — you  are 
our  friend — and  a  man  of  the  world — as  I  am. 

[BEAULIEU  adjusts  his  monocle  quizz- 
ingly  and  turns  to  PEPITO,  who  does  the 
same. 

Yes,   I   have   travelled — Ernesto,   no — nor   my 
[138] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

people — except  in  summer,  to  San  Sebastian, 
for  the  sea-bath — but  I  have  seen  life — the 
high-life — the  great  world.  I  passed  one  whole 
winter  in  Havana — in  my  uncle's  bank — before 
the  Yankees  came — with  their  narrow  ideas  and 
open  plumbing — and  I  tell  you,  Ernesto  and 
Teodora— 

BEAULIEU 

[With  uplifted  hand,  and  turning  away. 
If  you  please,  I'd  rather  not. 

PEPITO 

No — it  is  nothing!  Only  they've  not  been — what 
you  say  in  London — clever. — Why,  with  my 
own  eyes,  I've  seen — 

BEAULIEU 
[Stopping  PEPITO,  with  a  gesture. 

Well,  no  use  telling  me! — Because  I  never  believe 
anything  I  don't  see  with  my  own  two  eyes — 
and  then  I  only  believe  one-half  of  that,  be 
cause — 

[Indicating  his  monocled  eye. 
this  one  eye's  a  blinker! 

PEPITO 

Well, — they  should  have  been  prudent.     One  owes 
[123] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

that  to  one's  friends. — Here,  in  Madrid,  life  is 
not  varied — people  are  hard  put  for  amusement 
— diversion — Yes,  the  bull-fight,  opera,  theatre, 
dance — but  the  same  story,  the  year  round. 
But  the  gossip,  that  is  always  new. 

BEAULIETJ,  interrupting 

There's  been  no  ground  for  gossip — long  as  I've 
been  in  Madrid,  I  don't  believe  I've  ever  seen 
Donna  Teodora  and  Ernesto  alone,  in  public — 
yes,  once,  perhaps. 

PEPITO 

Precisely!  But  if  a  hundred  persons  saw  them 
that  once,  it  is  just  the  same  as  if  one  person 
saw  them  a  hundred  times — or  fifty  persons 
twice — or  twenty  persons  five  times.  And  they 
run  to  tell  their  families — and  they,  in  turn,  tell 
the  neighbours — and  then  they  tell — 

BEATTLIEU 

[Hitting  the  table  with  his  hand. 

They!    They! 
[Rising. 

Do   you   know   what   Hhey'   stands    for?      It's 
the  family-name  of  Ananias  and  Sapphira! — 

[124] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

Yes — it  was  the  name  on  their  door-plate  and 
visiting  cards.  In  the  parish  registry  of  their 
time,  it  read:  'Ananias  and  Sapphira  They.9 
And  when  the  Lord  struck  them  down,  in  the 
midst  of  their  last  gigantic  whopper — and  you 
may  be  sure  it  was  about  some  decent  man  and 
woman — the  newspapers  reported  the  sudden 
taking  off  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  They — known  to 
their  friends  as  Ananias  and  Sapphira ! 

PEPITO 
But  that  isn't  in  the  Bible! 

BEATTLIEU 

No — because  the  name  is  of  such  evil  and  malig 
nant  portent,  the  Good  Book  wouldn't  repeat 
it— 'They!'  'They!'  By  Jove,  I  never  hear 
the  word  that  I  don't  want  to  cross  my  fingers 

[Crosses  his  fingers. 

and  repeat  the  Litany  with  an  added  clause — 
'Good  Lord,  deliver  us  from  They!' 

[ERNESTO  enters. 

ERNESTO 
[To  PEPITO. 

Hello,  boy! — You  needn't  have  waited,  Beaulieu. 
[125] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Thought  we  might  be  of  some  service. 

ERNESTO 

No,  thanks.  Everything's  arranged.  It'll  be  all 
over  in  an  hour. 

[Pulls  the  bell-cord. 

BEAULIEU 

[Noting  ERNESTO'S  calm  manner. 
One  good  thing — you're  cool  about  it. 

ERNESTO 

Why  not?  If  I  finish  him,  the  world's  better  off — 
and  the  other  way  round,  I'm  better  off. 

BEAULIEU 
In  that  mood,  you'll  be  easy  for  him. 

ERNESTO 

[Shaking  his  head,  and  with  a  grim  smile. 
No! 

BEAULIEU 

Oh,  I've  seen  him,  at  the  fencing  club,  watch  you 
as  a  snake  watches  a  bird — and  you  never  knew 
it! 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

Good!    Or  I'd  had  to  show  him  all  I  know. 

BEAULIEU 

{Catching  his  meaning. 
Oh,  I  see!     Pretty  idea — and  so  Spanish! 

EENESTO 
[In  a  low  tone  to  GEN  ABO  who  enters. 

Genaro — some   gentlemen  will  call  presently,  to 
arrange  for  the  use  of  your  studio. 

GENARO 
Yes,  sir — they've  already  been  here. 

ERNESTO 
Oh ! — See  the  door  from  that  corridor  is  locked. 

GENARO 

Yes,  sir. 

[Goes  out. 

BEATJILIETT 

Now,  I  suppose,  you'd  like  to  be  alone. 
[127] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EBNESTO 

[Looking  at  his  watch. 

No  hurry — some  time  until  the  seconds  call  for  me. 
[GEN ABO  re-enters. 

EBNESTO 
[To    GENABO. 

I'll  be  going  out  presently,  and  shan't  come  back 
here  again — they  will  come  for  my  trunks — 
while  I'm  out — see  they  get  to  the  station  in 
good  season  for  the  night  train  to  Cadiz. 

GENABO 

Yes,  sir. — The  night  train  to  Cadiz. 
[Goes  out. 

PEPITO 
But — Ernesto — 

EBNESTO 

Yes. 

PEPITO 

If — if  something — should  happen? 

EBNESTO 

[With  his  hands  on  PEPITO'S  shouldert. 
Don't  you  worry,  boy. 

[1*8] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

[Shaking  his  head  dubiously. 
H'm — h'm — he'll  send  you  to  the  devil — if  he  can. 

ERNESTO,  lightly 

Well,  at  the  worst,  I  won't  need  my  trunks  there 
— they  might  just  as  well  go  on — 

BEAULIEU 
[Suddenly,  as  tf  roused  from  thought. 

Damn  it! — Why  the  deuce  did  you  have  to  go 
there ! 

EENESTO 

Because,  as  you  heard,  I'd  arranged  to  meet 
Moreno. 

BEAULIEU 

Yes,  but  just  at  that  moment!  Another  minute, 
Alvarez  had  been  gone  from  the  place — and  this 
wouldn't  have  happened! 

EENESTO 

Yes,  but  this  was  meant  to  happen,  and  that  one 
single  minute  Fate  held  free  that  it  should  hap- 

[129] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIPE 

pen!  Think  of  it,  Beaulieu,  in  all  the  infinite 
space  of  time,  there  was  only  one  minute — one 
tick  of  the  watch — for  that  encounter  between 
Alvarez  and  me,  and  chance  gave  it  to  me ! 
Without  that,  I'd  have  had  to  bear,  all  the  rest 
of  my  life,  the  torturing  thought,  the  bitter 
impotent  rage,  that  he  had  hurt  and  humiliated 
me,  until  my  senses  reeled,  while  I  stood  helpless 
and  unresisting,  with  lips  locked  and  my  hands 
bound !  Can't  you  see,  in  what  happened  there, 
the  determined  purpose  of  Chance  or  Fate  or 
whatever  it  may  be,  to  end  his  infamies  and 
bring  him  to  account? — Why,  my  dear  Beau- 
lieu,  if  there  be  any  power  that  orders  human 
affairs  for  right  and  wrong,  do  you  suppose  a 
man  like  Alvarez  is  to  go  on  his  way  of  calcu 
lated  evil — ruthless,  brazen  and  exultant — to 
the  end!  Do  you  doubt  there  is  one  appointed 
moment  when  he  must  answer  for  his  offence ! — 
What  sort  of  world  would  this  be — would  it 
be  worth  the  making  or  worth  the  caring-for — 
if  such  a  creature  could  defile  fair  names,  could 
distort  the  very  faith  and  candour  of  men  and 
women  to  their  shame  and  confusion  and  yet 
escape  all  reckoning  with  God  or  man? — No, 
Beaulieu,  as  you're  my  friend,  don't  you  regret 
that  one  blessed  moment  that  led  me  to  Senor 
Alvarez.  Whatever  Fate  may  have  in  store  for 
me  to-morrow,  to-day  I  know  I  stood  in  her 
good  graces — that  she  means  only  well  by  me. 

[130] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

I  hope  you're  right,  but  I'm  never  so  sure  about 
the  good  intentions  of  that  Fate  lady— I've 
seen  her  play  some  rather  queer  tricks  upon 
mighty  good  chaps. 

[With  a  changed  tone. 
And  when — when  is  it  to  be? 

EENESTO 
Four  o'clock. 

BEAULIEU 

Out  of  town,  of  course. 

EENESTO 

No — wouldn't  be  time  for  that — the  seconds 
agreed  on  a  room. 

PEPITO 
Not  the  Alcazar — where  the  quarrel — ? 

ERNESTO 
No,  here. 

BEAULIEU 
[To    ERNESTO. 

In  this  house? 

[181] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

[Crosses  to  door  at  the  left. 
At  the  end  of  this  corridor — 

[To  PEPITO. 

where  you  got  my  fencing  traps. 
[Opens  the  door. 

Large  room,  good  light — and  stairs  leading 
from  the  court  below — We'll  be  quite  comfort 
able  there.  It's  been  used  for  the  same  purpose 
before. — Beaulieu,  you  can  do  me  a  service,  if 
you  will. 

BEAULIEU 

[Comes  to  him. 
Anything  in  the  world,  old  chap. 

EENESTO 

By  this  time,  Don  Julian  must  have  heard  of  the 
affair  at  the  Alcazar. 

BEAULIEU 
Oh,  surely. 

EENESTO 

Go  and  find  him,  if  you  can — 
[Looks  at  his  watch. 
[182] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

At  the  Foreign  Office  or  his  house — assure  him 
I  didn't  start  the  quarrel — and,  above  all — he 
likes  you,  you  know — keep  him  in  hand  until 
this  is  over — don't  let  him  out  of  your  sight. — 
If  nothing  else,  just  talk  to  him. 

BEAULIEU 

If  need  be,  I'll  be  brilliant — anything  to  keep 
matters  straight. — Now  tell  me  again — and 
you  can't  tell  me  too  often — you're  sure  of 
yourself? 

EENESTO 

I  can  only  be  sure  I'll  do  my  best. 

BEAULIEU 

Hang  it,  no! — the  best  isn't  good  enough — it's 
the  worst  that's  needed  for  that  scamp.  Finish 
him,  my  boy — finish  him — or  else  come  so  near 
it  he  won't  know  the  difference  for  a  month  or 
two. 

[Holding  out  his  hands. 
Now,  good  luck  and  God  bless  you! 

EENESTO 

[Rather  sombrely. 
Good-bye. 

[133] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Ugly  word — I  never  say  it.     Au'voir — au'voir! 
And  you,  Pepito — Au'voir ! 

[Puts  his  fingers  to  his  lips  to  indicate  si 
lence,  and  goes  out. 

[GENAEO  is  heard,  singing:  he  appears  at 
the  door  a*  BEAU  LIEU  goes  out,  and  makes 
way  for  him. 

GENAEO 

[Entering,   to   EBNESTO. 
Somebody  to  see  you,  sir. 

ERNESTO 
But  I've  no  time,  now. 

GENAEO 

I  said  that,  sir,  but  the  lady  insisted. 

PEPITO 
Trala!    A  lady? 

GENAEO 

I  shouldn't  wonder,  sir — she  has  no  veil  on. 
[134] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

The  lady's  alone? 

GENAEO 

Yes,  sir — /  should  say  alone — she  has  only  her 
maid  with  her. 

EENESTO 

I'll  go  below  to  see  her. 
[Starts  to  go. 

GENAEO 

I  beg  pardon,  sir — it's  the  music  hour — there  are 
many  in  the  cafe — and  the  lady  has  been  crying. 

[EENESTO  is  obviously  disturbed. 

PEPITO 

No  veil  and  crying — sounds  promising. — Well,  I'll 
be  off. 

[To    GENAEO. 

What  are  you  waiting  for? 

GENAEO 

Orders  to  show  the  lady  in. 
[135] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

Why,  don't  you  know  your  business  better  than 
that?  You  must  always  show  a  lady  in,  es 
pecially  when  she's  crying — and,  once  she's  in — 
no  one  else! 

GENAEO 

[To  EENESTO. 

Your  orders,  sir? 

EENESTO 

Didn't  you  ask  the  lady's  name? 

GENAEO 

[With  a  knowing  grin. 

Not  a  custom  of  the  house,  sir — but  (sugges 
tively)  perhaps,  the  lady  of  the  letter. 

EENESTO 
What  letter? 

GENAEO 

[Crossing  to  the  table. 
I  put  it  there. 

[Takes  the  letter. 
Yes,  here  it  is. 

[1S6] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Gives  EENESTO  the  letter. 

Came  just  after  you'd  gone — she  says  she  must 
see  you. 

EENESTO 

[Glances  nervously  at  letter  and  then  at 
PEPITO. 

Yes,  yes,  of  course — show  the  lady  in. 
[GENARO  goes  out. 

PEPITO 

Trala,  aren't  you  clever !  You're  doing  just  right, 
Ernesto. 

EENESTO 
You  think — 

PEPITO 

The  very  thing! — making  a  diversion,  as  diplo 
mats  say.  Beautiful!  The  quarrel  with  Al 
varez  over  this  new  one.  Good-bye  and  good 
luck !  And  whatever  happens,  Ernesto,  I  won't 
be  far  off. 

[Goes  out  quickly. 

EENESTO 

[Opening  the  letter. 
Teodora! 

[137] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Reads. 

I  implore  you  do  not  quarrel  with  Julian!  No 
matter  what  he  may  say  or  do — be  patient  with 
him!  I  entreat  you — by  our  love  for  him — 
yours  and  mine — be  patient  with  him.  Remem 
ber,  dear  friend,  my  soul  adores  him — and  he  is 
so  unhappy — and  /. 


TEODOEA 

[Appearing  at  the  door. 
I  am  not  too  late? 

EENESTO 

Teodora! — You   shouldn't  have  done  this,  Teo! 

TEODOEA 

Never  mind  about  me — now,  it  is  you  and  Julian 
— Where  is  he?  I  must  speak  with  him — and 
you. 

EENESTO 

But  to  come  here — and  alone! 

TEODOEA 

There  was  no  other  way — and  I  had  to  see  you. 
[138] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

But  surely,  Mercedes  would  have — 

TEODORA 

No,  she  refused — Severe  forbids  her  to  be  seen  with 
me  in  public,  anywhere. 

ERNESTO,  fiercely 
Severo ! 

TEODORA 

That's  what  they've  brought  it  to,  Ernesto. 

[Pointing    to    the    letter    in   ERNESTO'S 
hand. 

I  waited  for  an  answer — 

ERNESTO 

[Indicating  the  letter. 
I  just  now  have  it. 

TEODORA 

[Continues  feverishly. 

I  wanted  your  word — to  assure  me — but  I  could 
endure  it  no  longer. 

ERNESTO 

But,  Teodora,  to  come  here !    If  you  were  seen— 
[189] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA,  defiantly 

What  of  it?  What  could  they  say  that  they  have 
not  already  said?  I  no  longer  care — nothing 
matters — only  that  you  shall  not  fight. 

EENESTO,  protesting 
But,  Teo,  when  you  hear  what  happened! 

TEODOEA 

[Insisting  commandingly . 

No,  no,  no — no  matter — what  happened — you 
shall  not  fight  on  my  account! 

ERNESTO 
If  you  knew — the  insult ! 

TEODORA 

[Pointing  to  the  letter  still  in  ERNESTO'S 
hand. 

But  I  warned  you — implored  you — 

[With  pathos. 
to  bear  with  him. 

ERNESTO,  bewildered 
Julian — ? 

[140] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

When  Mercedes  told  me  he'd  come  here — with 
Severe — who  hates  us — you  and  me — I  knew 
what  it  meant.  But  you  shall  not  fight  for  me. 
Oh,  the  shame  of  it ! — you  and  Julian! — to  seek 
each  other's  life — for  me! 

ERNESTO 

But,  Teo,  we  have  no  quarrel,  Julian  and  I. 

TEODORA 

You  promise  me — your  word  of  honour? 

ERNESTO 

Of  course. 

TEODORA 

And  you  forgive — the  insult? 

ERNESTO 

There's  been  none. 

TEODORA 

But  you  said  just  now — 

ERNESTO 

Alvarez — yes. 

[141] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

Alvarez !  Despite  Beaulieu's  warning,  you  sought 
a  quarrel  with  him? 

ERNESTO 

No — he  forced  the  quarrel  on  me — wildly — in  a 
frenzy — like  a  man  drunk  with  hate.  He  knew 
I  was  leaving  to-day — the  thought  that  I  might 
escape  him,  and  that,  once  I  had  gone,  there'd 
be  no  further  excuse  for  his  lies — maddened 
him! 

TEODORA 

Still,  I  forbid  it — you  shall  not  fight — for  me! 

ERNESTO 

For  a  woman,  then — any  woman — held  up  to  scorn 
— her  name  tossed  from  glass  to  glass — in  a 
group  of  jeering  ribalds — until  every  nook  and 
corner  echoed  the  insult — clear  and  insistent 
above  the  turmoil  of  a  tippler's  brawl. 

TEODORA,  overwhelmed 
Great  God!    Ernesto,  was  it  like  that? 

ERNESTO 

[With  clenched  fists  and  in  tones  of  mingled 
horror  and  vengeance. 

Oh,  Teodora,  I  only  want  the  picture  before  me, 
when  I  face  him! 

[142] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

[Recovering  herself. 

But  the  world  will  know  it  is  for  me — they'll  ask 
why  you  defend  my  good  name,  and  not  Julian ! 
— And  you  should  have  thought  of  that, 
Ernesto,  you  should  have  avoided  the  quarrel — 

ERNESTO,  interrupting 
I  tried. 

TEODORA,  continuing 
At  any  cost  of  pride — by  any  trick — 

ERNESTO 

How  I  sought  to  avoid  it — Beaulieu  will  tell  you — 
till  they  threw  it  into  my  face — the  insult. 

TEODORA 

But  it  was  meant  for  Julian — and  me.  You  have 
no  right — to  take  his  quarrel  on  yourself — 

[As  if  to  clinch  the  matter. 
It  would  be — impertinence ! 

ERNESTO,  horrified 
Teodora! 

[143] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

\Proudly  and  almost  coldly. 

It  is  Julian's  privilege — and  his  alone.  It  is  for 
my  husband — and  none  but  him — to  guard  my 
good  name. 

ERNESTO 

But,  Teodora,  a  life  must  be  staked  against  this 
man's — when  swords  cross,  the  issue  is  always 
uncertain.  Alvarez'  skill  is  proved  and  notori 
ous — you  know  that? 

TEODORA,  weakly 
Yes. 

TEODORA 

Well,  then,  if  it  must  be  Julian  or  me — 

TEODORA,  falteringly 
Julian,  or — you? 

ERNESTO 

Between  his  life  and  mine  you  will  not  hesitate? 

[They  look  at  each  other  intently,  and  in 
silence. 

[144] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODOBA 

[As  if  she  has  forced  herself  to  a  decision. 
Julian  himself  shall  decide. 

EENESTO 

But,  Teo,  think  a  moment — it  was  7  who  struck 
Alvarez — full  in  the  face — before  his  friends 
and  a  hundred  others. — He  is  entitled  to  a 
chance  at  my  life.  If  I  refuse  to  meet  him  he 
will  kill  me — and  rightly  so ! 

TEODORA 

[In   a  panic   of   apprehension. 

No,  no,  he  shall  not.  No! — Let  Julian  decide, 
please — send  for  him — or,  come — let  us  go  to 
him. 

[Starts  toward  the  door,  stops  suddenly, 
listens. 

Why — I  thought  I  heard  Julian's  voice. 
[A  door  is  heard  to  close. 

EENESTO 

No  one  for  me. 

TEODOBA 

Shall  we  not  go? 

[145] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

[Glancing  at  the  clock. 
There  is  no  time  now. 

TEODORA 

[Not  understanding. 

Why?     No  time?    You  mean — you  fight  Alvarez 
to-day  ? 

EENESTO 

At  four  o'clock. 

TEODORA 

[As  if  beside  herself. 
No!     I  forbid  you — for  the  last  time — I  for — 

[Voices  are  heard. 
Who  is  that.    There  is  someone  for  you,  surely. 

ERNESTO 
It  is  almost  time  for  them. 

[Goes  to  the  door  and  looks  out. 

TEODORA 

[In  tones  of  fright. 
Your   seconds? — Captain    Beaulieu   and — 

[146] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[Interrupting,  and  shaking  his  head. 
The  Marquis  Acedo  and  Mario  Sanches. 

TEODORA 

They!    Alvarez'  friends! 

ERNESTO 

The  first  to  hand— 

TEODORA 

[Panic-stricJcen. 
If  they  saw  me  here! 

ERNESTO 

[As  if  to  calm  her. 
No,  no — it  may  not  be  they. 

[The  voices  are  heard  again. 
And — even  if  they  saw  you — 

TEODORA,  brokenly 

Ernesto,  my  courage  is  gone — quite  gone — I  trem 
ble  like  a  leaf ! 

[147] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[There  is  a  noise  of  knocking;  then  the 
voices  again. 

ERNESTO,  listening 
That  can't  be  they! 

[Goes  to  the  door  of  the  corridor. 
It  is  here ! 

TEODORA 

Julian's  voice — it  is! — And  Severo's! 

[The  noise  is  repeated,  with  the  sound  of 
a  knob  being  turned. 

[TEODORA  and  ERNESTO  stand  silent,  be 
wildered. 

[A  voice  is  heard  beyond  the  closed  door, 
crymg:  'Open — unbolt  the  door!' 

PEPITO 
[From  outside. 
Open,  Ernesto!     Ernesto! 

TEODORA 

Pepito !    It's  Pepito ! 

[Looks  about,  as  if  to  rush  off. 
[.148] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[Stopping  her,  and  opening  the  door  lead 
ing  to  the  corridor. 

No,  no,  no — remain  where  you  are!     It's   only 
Pepito. — Stay,  Teo ! 

[Disappears  into  the  corridor.  A  she  opens 
the  door  at  the  other  end  of  the  corridor, 
voices  are  heard  in  a  confused  babble. 
[TEO  DOR  A,  frightened,  distracted,  rushes 
toward  the  door  at  the  right.  As  she  opens 
it,  there  is  heard  the  music  from  the  cafe, 
the  buzz  of  voices,  and  laughter;  and  then 
BEAULIEU'S  voice  in  controversy  with 

GENARO. 

BEAULIEU 

[Speaking  outside. 
Never  mind,  I  know  the  way — 

GENARO,  protestingly 
But  there's  someone  with  him — 

BEAULIETT 

[Coming  nearer. 
Nonsense,  I  only  just  left  him — 
[149] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA 

[Beside  herself. 
Captain   Beaulieu! 

[Pauses  for  an  instant,  as  if  at  bay.  Then, 
as  the  voices  in  the  corridor  draw  nearer, 
and  the  buzz  from  the  cafe  increases,  in  a 
flash  of  panic  she  rushes  into  the  bedroom. 

[ERNEST'O  re-enters  from  the  corridor, 
followed  by  PEPITO. 

PEPITO 
You're  alone? 

EENESTO 

[Glancing  about. 
Yes,  yes. 

[To  himself. 
Thank  God! 

BEAULIEU 

[Entering,  excitedly. 
Julian  came  here,  with  your  seconds! 
[In  a  tone  of  horror. 

What's  the  matter  with  you  fellows  ?— What's 
happened? 

[ISO] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO,  fiercely 
This  boy  betrayed  me — told  them  everything! 

BEAULIEU 
But  didn't  mean  to — they  made  him. 

PEPITO 

Julian  flew  to  Alvarez'  house — dragged  him  here 
with  your  seconds — forced  him  to  fight — and 
they  fought  like  fiends! 

BEAULIEU 

And  Julian — hurt? 

PEPITO 
Mortally,  I  believe. 

[Steps  are  heard  in  the  corridor. 
They're  bringing  him  here. 

JULIAN 

[Entering  from  the  corridor,  and  warding 
off  SEVEEO,  who  moves  as  if  to  support 
him. 

No,  no — let  me  be. — Close  that  door. — That  rat 
shan't  see  how  he  scratched  me ! 

[SEVEEO  goes  into  the  corridor. 
[151] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

EENESTO 

[With  an  appealing  gesture. 

Julian,  that  was  my  work! — You  had  no  right  to 
take  it  from  me. 

JULIAN 

Never  mind,  my  boy. — It  is  still  for  you  to  do — 
and  better  than  I — 

[Winces  and  supports  himself  against  the 
cabinet  near  the  door. 

SEVERO,  re-entering 
Come,  Julian,  you  must  lie  down — 

ERNESTO 

Yes,  in  here. 

[Goes  to  the  bedroom  door,  opens  it,  and 
sees  to  his  astonishment  that  TEODORA  is 
there.  He  closes  the  door  abruptly,  and 
stands  with  his  back  to  it,  obviously  panic- 
stricken,  and  as  if  to  bar  entrance. 

JULIAN 

[Takes  a  step  toward  the  door;  stops;  and 
gasps,  as  if  in  great  pain. 

One  minute,  please — I  can't — Ernesto — 
[152] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[ERNESTO  returns  as  if  to  help  him.  They 
move  toward  the  bedroom,  until  they  reach 
a  large  chair  near  the  door. 

JULIAN 

[Clutching  the  chair. 
Ernesto — Here — for  a  moment. 

[Faintly. 
Yes— that's  better— 

[Pauses. 
Now — Ernesto — 

[Growing  weaker. 
Send— for— for— Teo. 

ERNESTO,  aghast 
Teo! 

[As  if  to  re-assure  him. 

Julian,  you're  not — 

JULIAN 

[With  his  hand  to  his  heart,  gaspingly. 
I'm   afraid — yes — you   go — bring  her — to  me — 
Don't—  tell— her— I'm— 

[To   SEVERO. 

Let  me  lie  down. 

[153] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Takes  a  step  toward  the  bedroom,  but 
utters  a  piercing  cry  of  pain,  and  collapses 
into  the  chair. 

TEODORA 

[Rushmg  from  the  room,  impelled  by  JU 
LIAN'S  cry. 

Julian ! 

[JULIAN  pulls  himself  together  at  the 
found  of  her  voice,  and  stares  at  her  as  if 
dazed. 

TEODORA 

[On  her  If  nee  s  before  him. 
Julian,  don't  you  see  me? — Teo,  your  wife! 

JULIAN 

[Staring,  as  if  into  space,  and  bewildered. 
My  wife — here — already — no ! 

SEVERO 

Yes,  brother,  your  wife ! 

[Pointing  to  ERNESTO. 
And  your  friend! 

[154] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Looking  about,  as  if  to  make  sure  where 
he  is. 

Here! 

[Pause. 
Why — are  you — here? 

TEODORA 
To  save  you  from  this — I  meant — 

ERNESTO,  eagerly 
Yes ! — she  feared  we  would  fight — you  and  I ! — 

SEVERO 

[Interrupting  savagely. 
Then  why  hide? — 

[Pointing  to  the  bedroom, 
hide — like  guilty  things? 

TEODORA 

[In  agonized  protest. 
No,  no,  no,  Julian! 

[155] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Pushing  her  aside. 
You  were  right,  Severe — a  rendezvous ! 

ERNESTO 

[Frantically,    as    he    offers    TEODOEA'S 
letter. 

Here,  Julian,  you  will  see  the  truth! 

SEVEEO 

[To  EENESTO  and  TEODOEA. 
Oh,  he  sees — yes,  now  he  sees! 

JULIAN 

[Half  rises  from  the  chair,  with  hands  to 
eyes,  as  if  rubbing  away  a  mist. 

No,  no — Phantoms  !     Only  phantoms ! 
[Collapses  into  the  chair. 
SEVEEO,  wildly 

No,    not    phantoms!      Traitors — flesh-and-blood 
traitors ! 

[Advancing  rapidly  to  EENESTO. 
For  this  day's  work  I'll — 

[Moves  as  if  to  strike  EENESTO. 
[156] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[Seizing    s  EVE  no's    uplifted    hand,    and 
holding  it  down. 

Yes,  yes — of  course — later,  if  you  like — you  may 
kill  me,  and  with  my  last  breath  I'll  bless  you 
for  it — but,  first,  in  God's  name — let  me  meet 
Alvarez ! 

[Goes  quickly  mto  the  corridor,  followed 
by  BEAULIEU. 


CURTAIN 


[157] 


ACT  HI 

THE  SCENES  again  the  drawing-room  in  DON 
JULIAN'S  house,  a  few  hours  after  the  event  of  the 
previous  act.  Only  the  torchere,  by  the  piano,  and 
the  "hall-lantern  are  lighted.  The  curtains  in  the 
archway  leading  to  the  balcony  are  drawn  to 
gether. 

[As  the  curtain  rises,  PEPITO  enters,  slowly, 
from  JULIA  N'S  room. 

SERVANT 

[Entering  silently,  announces  in  almost  a  whis 
per. 

Captain  Beaulieu. 

PEPITO,  nodding 
Yes. 

[SERVANT  opens  the  door  leading  to  the  hall. 
[BEAULIEU  enters. 

BEAULIEU 

How's  the  good  man  ? 

PEPITO,  dubiously 
Hard  to  tell. 

[158] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 

Not  the  worst! 

P  EPITO 

Julian  says  it's  a  mere  scratch. 

BEAULIEU 

What  does  the  surgeon  say — Any  chance? 

p  E  p  i  T  o 

Yes,  if  he  can  be  kept  quiet.  Will  come  through  all 
right,  the  surgeon  says.  But  he  won't  even  lie  on 
the  couch;  starts  up  every  few  minutes,  as  if  from 
a  nightmare;  stalks  about  the  room,  pretending 
he  isn't  really  hurt.  And  keeps  asking  for  Teo! 

BEAULIEU,  surprised 
Why,  isn't  Donna  Teodora  with  him  ? 

p  E  p  i  T  o,  meaningly 
What!  after — her  visit — to  Ernesto? 
BEAULIEU,  warningly 

By  Jove,  if  you  people  aren't  careful,  you'll  do  for 
Julian  what  Alvarez  didn't. 

p  EP ITO 

Well,  whatever  happens,  my  father  will  square  the 
score  with  him. 

[159] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Makes  a  gesture. 
He'll  run  him  through! 

BEAULIEU 

Pretty  idea! — But  the  account's  already  squared — 
and  wiped  off  the  slate! 

p  E  p  i  T  o,  eagerly 
Ernesto  ? 

BEAULIEU 

Beautiful  piece  of  work ! — May  cost  me  my  conge, 
but  I  wouldn't  have  missed  it  for  an  Embassy. 

PEPITO 

But  not  the- -finish? 

BEAULIEU 

If  Alvarez  gets  over  it,  it's  because  the  devil  doesn't 
want  his  company.  At  any  rate,  he'll  never 
fight  again.  That  wonderful  arm  of  his  is  out  of 
business. 

[MERCEDES  enters  from  the  door  at  the 
right. 

[160] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

P  EP ITO 

[Greeting  her  joyously. 

Mother,    dear,    isn't    it    splendid! — Alvarez     can't 
harm  Papa!     He's  done  for! 

MERCEDES 

[Looking  at  BEAULIEU for  explanation. 
Don  Ernesto  ? 

BEAULIEU 
[Nods  'yes'. 
They  fought  at  four — precisely  as  they'd  arranged. 

p  EP  i  TO 

[At  the  balcony  windows,  drawing  back  the 
curtains,  so  as  to  disclose  Alvarez9  house, 
showing  dark  in  the  brightly  lit  avenue. 

See,  mother,  not  a  light  over  there,  at  Alvarez' — 
dark  as  a  house  of  mourning. 

[Gleefully. 
I'll  go  tell  father. 

MERCEDES 

[Stopping  him  as  he  reaches  the  door. 
And  say  I  wish  to  see  him — now. 
[p  E  p  i  T  o  goes  out. 

[161] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 
[To    MERCEDES. 

And  the  Donna  Teodora? 

MERCEDES 

We're  not  to  speak  her  name — my  husband  for 
bids — to  strangers. 

BEATTLIEIT 

But  I  count  myself  an  old  friend — and  I  bring  a 
message. 

MERCEDES,  eagerly 
Then  he's  gone  ? 

BEAULIEU 

No. — And  he  won't  go — until  he's  seen  Donna  Teo 
dora  and  Julian. 

MERCEDES 

Has  the  man  lost  his  wits  ? 

BEAULIEU 

The  very  question  I  asked  him. 

MERCEDES 

If  he  shows  himself  here — I  don't  know  what  might 
happen. 

[162] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BE AULIEU 

I  do!  So  I'm  going  to  keep  close  to  him,  until  he's 
safely  off  on  his  journey. — The  poor  fellow  is  all 
alone. — His  life  since  he's  been  in  Madrid  was 
lived  in  this  house.  There's  no  one  out  there 
he  can  turn  to.  And  he's  beside  himself — more 
than  half  mad — desperate  enough  for  anything. 
— Don't  drive  him  one  step  further — receive  him 
when  he  calls — 

MERCEDES 

But  if  it  were  known — that  he'd  come  here? 

BEAULIEU 

Excellent  diplomacy! — the  best  possible  way  to  end 
this — this — 

[Hesitates. 

tragedy  of  gossip!     And,  after  all,  why  shouldn't 
it  be  known — why  shouldn't  he  come  here? 

MERCEDES,  wonderingly 
Why? 

BEAULIEU 

Yes. 

MERCEDES 

And  you  don't  believe — he  and  Teodora — ? 
[163] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEATJLIEU,  interrupting 
No  more  than  you  and  I — 

[MERCEDES  indicates  her  amazement  at 
the  awkward  comparison. 

BEAULIEU 

[Quickly  correcting  himself. 

I  beg  your  pardon,  dear  lady,  but  I  want  to  put  it 
convincingly. 

[SEVERO  is  heard  talking  to   PEPITO. 
Now,  if  you  can  persuade — Don  Severo — 

[Points  to  the  door  to  indicate  SEVERO; 
then  turns  as  if  to  go  out. 

MERCEDES 

[Stopping  him. 
Wait — judge  for  yourself. 

i         SEVERO 

[At  the  door. 
What  is  it? 

MERCEDES 

Severe — Teodora  begs  to  see  Julian — 
[164] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


S  E  V  E  R  O 


[Advancing  to  Mercedes  and  speaking 
sharply. 

You've  disobeyed  my  orders! 


MERCEDES 

No — I've  not  spoken  with  her — I  listened  to  her 
pleadings. 

S  E V  E  RO 

[  Turning  as  if  to  go. 
Til  not  listen — I  want  none  of  them — 

MERCEDES 

She  asks  only  to  say  good-bye  to  Julian; — then  she 
will  go. 

s  E VERO 

She'll  go  without  that — and  now — I  told  you  what 
to  do— 

MERCEDES 

I  cannot  send  that  poor,  distracted  creature  from 
this  house  at  such  a  moment. — Where  could  she 
go,  that  she  wouldn't  be  pointed  out — after  the 
scandal  of  to-day? — Where  could  she  find  wel 
come,  or  even  shelter  ? 

[165] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

s  E  v  E  B  o,  deliberately 
At  her  lover's — where  we  surprised  her — 

BEAULIEU,  angrily 
Don  Severe! — 

[Apologetically. 

I  beg  your  pardon  for  intervening — in  this  purely 
family  matter — but  circumstances  have  made  me 
a  part  of  it,  as  it  were — and  I've  always  been 
proud  of  Don  Julian's  friendship — and  his  wife's 
— Now,  I  know  nothing  of  Donna  Teodora's — 

[Hesitating. 

errand — to-day;  but  if  you  would  take  the  trouble 
to  learn  the  truth,  you'd  regret  what  you  just 
said — I'd  stake  my  life  on  it! 

MERCEDES,  timidly 
We  may  be  doing  her  wrong — 

SE v  ERO 
[As  if  amazed. 
What! 

MERCEDES 

It  is  possible — just  possible — 
[166] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

s  E  v  E  R  o,  interrupting 
Now  you  defend  her!     That's  the  woman  of  you! 

MERCEDES 

No,  I  don't  defend  her — I  believe  as  you  do — her  sin 
is  too  mean — her  guilt  too  clear — but  it's  not  for 
me  to  punish  her. 

[SEVEEO  turns  away  impatiently. 
That  is  God's  business. 

s  E  v  E  R  o,  fiercely 
It  was  Julian's — now  it  is  mine. 

BEAULIEU 

[With  a  shrug. 
Of  course,  if  you  think  you  can  do  it  better! 

s  E  v  E  R  o 

No  one  shall  intercede  here! — My  brother  casts  this 
woman  from  his  heart — 

MERCEDES 

That's  as  it  should  be!  And  you,  his  kinsman,  cast 
her  from  the  house  she  has  dishonoured — that's 
as  it  should  be.  But  when  that  is  done,  she  is  no 

[167] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

longer  the  sinning  wife,  but  only  a  woman,  help 
less,  sorrowing  and  alone — And  I  must  give  her 
what  I  can  of  comfort  and  pity. 

BEAULIEU 
[To  himself. 
That's  the  woman  of  it,  too! 

p  E  p ITO 
[With  outstretched  hands,  appealingly. 

Yes,  father,  if  you  could  but  see  Teodora,  you  would 
pity— 

SEVERO,  bitterly 
Pity!     Pity!     I  have  none — only  for  him — 

[With  a  sudden  change,  to  a  tone  quivering 
with  tears. 

Oh,  Pepito,  my  brother — my  poor,  dear  brother. 
[Buries  his  head  on  PEPITO'S  shoulder. 

MERCEDES,  tenderly 
Severe — does  not  Teo — also  love  Julian  ? 

s  E  v  E  R  o 

[Turns  and  faces  her;  speaks  savagely. 
No!  No! 

[168] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Goes  to  the  door  at  left;  pauses,  pointing  to 
Julian's  room. 

Let  her  not  cross  that  threshold ! 
[Goes  out. 

BEAULIEU 

[Looking  after  SEVEEO. 
Donna  Mercedes,  your  husband  is — 

MERCEDES 

[Proudly,  and  in  a  chilling  tone. 
Yes,  Captain  Beaulieu? 

BEAULIEU 

[TFe£/t  a  shrug. 
A  Spaniard,  I  suppose. 

[SERVANT  enters. 

SERVANT,  announcing 
Don  Ernesto. 

MERCEDES 

We  receive  no  one. 

[SERVANT    hesitates,    as    if   waiting  for 
further  orders. 

[169] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

BEAULIEU 
[To    MEECEDES. 

I  beg  of  you — 

[MERCEDES,    with   a   gesture    indicating 
s  E  v  E  R  o. 

You  heard — 

[To  SERVANT. 

Do  not  admit  him. 

[SERVANT  starts  to  go  out. 

BEAULIEU 

That   won't   stop   him. — He's   in   the   mood  when 
nothing  can. 

PEPITO 
I'll  go  talk  to  him— 

[MERCEDES  stops  him  with  a  gesture. 

SERVANT 
Don  Ernesto  insists,  Madame. 

MERCEDES 

He  shall  not  enter  this  house! 
[170], 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SERVANT 

He  has  already  done  so,  Madame, 
p  E  p  i  T  o,  advancing 
Then  you  should  have— 

SERVANT,  bowing 
I  thought  it  unwise,  Sir. 

PEPITO 

[With  a  threatening  movement. 
Then  I  shall— 

SERVANT 

Beg  pardon,  Sir,  I  still  think  it  unwise,  Sir. 

MERCEDES 

[With  growing  anger. 
Tell  him  to  leave  and  if  he  will  not — 

[ERNESTO     appears    at    the    door    and 
brushes  by  SERVANT. 

PEPITO 

[Finishing  the  sentence. 
Show  him  in. 

[171] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SERVANT,  announcing 
Don  Ernesto. 

BEAULIEU 

[Tapping  p  E  p  i  T  o  on  the  shoulder  ap 
provingly. 

Pretty  idea! 

[ERNESTO  comes  into  the  room;  he  has  his 
hat  in  his  hand,  and  over  his  arm  carries  a 
long  travelling-cape. 

MERCEDES 
[To  ERNESTO. 

The  servants  were  ordered — 

ERNESTO,  excitedly 

Don't  blame  them — they  were  as  rude  as — anyone 
could  wish. — Now  that  I'm  in — you'll  please 
have  them  announce  me  to  Teodora. 

MERCEDES 

That  is  impossible,  Ernesto! 

ERNESTO 

Why? 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

If,  just  now,  you'd  heard  Severe — 

p  E  p  i  T  o,  nodding 
Yes. 

ERNESTO 

Severe  is  nothing  to  me — I  don't  know  there  is 
such  a  man — And  well  for  him,  perhaps! — In 
my  world — to-night — there  are  only  three  beings — 
Julian,  Teodora  and  I — And  nothing  shall  come 
between  them  and  me — not  Fate  itself! 

PEPITO,  appeasingly 

But,  see,  Ernesto — the  state  you're  in — you'd  con 
sider  nothing — not  your  life  nor  anyone  else's. 

ERNESTO 

Because,  Pepito — I've  lost  everything  that  makes 
life  worth  considering — And  for  no  fault  of  my 
own — Honour,  friendship,  love — all  taken  from 
me — and  for  nothing,  'really  nothing,'  as  he 

says — 

MERCEDES 

Careful,  Ernesto — if  Severe  should  hear! 

ERNESTO 

Oh,  he  will  hear — enough! — Beaulieu  knows!    The 
[173] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

door  barred  to  me  won't  shut  out  those  thousand 
tongues — 

MERCEDES 

They  know — already  ? 

BEAULIEU 

They  think  they  know — everything — everywhere. 

ERNESTO 

And  everywhere  it's  different!  And  nowhere  the 
truth !  Teodora  jealous  of  another  woman,  they 
say — made  Julian  challenge  me.  They  had  that 
story  from  the  inn-keeper! — Julian  surprised  his 
wife  in  my  room — some  declare — and  I  killed  him 
before  her  eyes. — Others,  again,  raise  me  from 
the  rank  of  mere  assassin  and  say  we  fought  like 
loyal  gentlemen — Julian  and  I! — A  few  have  the 
tale — accurately — Oh,  yes  !  from  Alvarez'  sec 
onds — I  arrived  on  the  scene  late — not  through 
accident  or  fear — but  because  I  preferred  to  re 
main  in  Teodora's  arms — 

MERCEDES 

[Turning    toward    BEAULIEU    as   if  for 
corroboration. 

Oh,  no! 

[174] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[BEAU LIEU  nods  'yes.9 

ERNESTO 

Yes,  to  such  figures  they  can  transform  an  innocent 
woman  and  two  men  who  worship  her,  with  love, 
with  reverence,  once  they  begin  spattering  their 
mud  of  slander. — And  from  such  tales  I  am  to 
flee,  like  a  thief  in  the  night,  not  daring  even  to 
look  behind — 

[In  a  tone  of  decisive  command. 
Bring  Teodora  here — or  take  me  to  her! 

P  EPITO 

[Starting  for  the  door. 
Yes,  mother. 

MERCEDES 

[Stopping  P  EPITO. 
Wait. — Ernesto,  will  that  content  you  ? 

ERNESTO 

Yes— 

[Then,  as  if  suspecting  what  is  in  her  mind. 
but— I— 

MERCEDES 

You  will  go,  in  peace? 

[175] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

And  not  see — Julian? 

MERCEDES 

No — not  Julian. 

ERNESTO 

Why— I- 

BEAULIEU,  persuasively 
If  Donna  Teodora  so  wishes  ? 

ERNESTO,  decisively 
Yes — if  Teodora  so  wishes. 

[Appealing,  to  PEPITO. 
Now,  then,  Pepito. 

[PEPITO  looks  to  MERCEDES  for  con 
sent. 

MERCEDES,    nodding 

Say,  only,  I  wish  to  see  her. 
[PEPITO  goes  out. 
[To  ERNESTO. 
You  will  let  me  speak  with  her  first? 

ERNESTO 

Yes. 

MERCEDES 

Alone? 

[176] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

Yes. 

MERCEDES 

And  you  will  do  as  she  decides  is  best  ? 

ERNESTO,     nervously 
Yes — yes — 

MERCEDES 

Your  promise — before  Captain  Beaulieu — 

ERNESTO,    wildly 

Yes,  yes,  yes! — anything — anything — just  so  I  see 
her! 

MERCEDES 

[Pointing  to  the  balcony. 
Wait  out  there  until  I  call  you. 

[ERNESTO    goes  out  to  the  balcony  with 

BEAULIEU. 

p  E  p  i  T  o,    re-entering 
She  is  here. 

MERCEDES 

[With  a  nod  toward  ERNESTO. 
You  didn't  tell  her—? 

[177] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

P  E  P ITO 

No — only  that  you  wished  to  see  her. 
[BEAULIEU  re-enters. 

BEAULIEU 

[Taking  p  E  p  I  T  o's  arm. 
Come,  Pepito,  we'll  reason  with  him. 
[Goes  out  with  PEPITO. 

T  E  O  D  O  R  A 

[Entering  quickly. 
Julian — he  is  worse? 

MERCEDES 

No — a  little  better — possibly. 

TE  O  D  O  R A 

You're  telling  me  the  truth? 

[MERCEDES  nods. 
Then  I  may  go  to  him? 

[MERCEDES  does  not  answer. 
Mercedes — you   asked   Severe? — 
[178] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS 

MERCEDES 

[Nodding  'yes.' 
Yes,  but  he — refuses. 

TEODORA 

[With  fire. 
He  dare  not  refuse — he  must  not — 

MERCEDES 

Teodora,  Julian's  life  hangs  by  a  thread. — He 
believes  that  you  and  Ernesto — 

TEODORA,  interrupting 

No,  no, — it  is  Severo  who  believes — and  who  stands 
between  Julian  and  me — so  the  truth  may  not 
reach  him. 

MERCEDES,  sceptically 
The  truth ! — Why  did  you  go  there  to-day  ? 

TEODORA 

You  told  me  Julian  had  gone — that  they  might 
fight — and  an  awful  dread — lest  harm  come  to 
him — 

MERCEDES,  cynically 
Julian  ? 

[179] 


WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TE  O  D  O  R A 

Of  course,  Julian. 

MERCEDES,  sharply 
And  the  other — there  was  no  thought  of  him? 

TE  O  D  OR A 

[As  tf  trying  to  fathom  her  own  thoughts. 
Why— I  don't  know— 

MERCEDES,  angrily 
Oh,  yes,  you  do — you  know ! 

T  E  O  D  O  R  A 

[As  if  suddenly  awakened  to  the  truth. 

Yes!  You  are  right — I  feared  for  him,  too — be 
cause — 

MERCEDES,  incredulously 
Oh,  yes— 

T  E  O  D  O  R  A 

No! — Only  because  the  thought  that  those  two 
men — my  husband  and — the  other — would  fight 
over  me — appalled  me — sickened  me — soul  and 
body — I  am  not  of  those  women  for  whom  men 
may  slay  each  other — like  raging  beasts — why, 

[180] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

even  with  Alvarez — that  monster! — I  forbade 
Ernesto  to  fight — but  now — now — he — shall — 
kill— him! 

MERCEDES 

It  is  already  done,  Teodora. 

TEODOEA 

[With  a  smile. 
You  are  certain? 

[MERCEDES  nods  'yes.' 
[Exultantly. 
I  knew  he  would!     I  knew  he  would! 

MERCEDES 

You  say  that  as  if — as  if — 

TEODORA 

What!    You  still  mistrust  me? 

MERCEDES 

But  see  how  proud — 

TEODORA 

Of  his  courage,  yes — his  skill — his  life,  staked  for 
Julian ! — 

[181] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

And  you!    He  fought  for  you. 

T  E  O  D  O  R  A 

No,  not  for  me — for  a  woman — struck  in  the  face, 
in  his  presence,  by  words  more  cowardly  than 
the  clenched  fist.  What  man  would  not  do  the 
same  ? — 

[With  a  glow  of  admiration. 

What  man  like  Ernesto? 

[Turns  from  MEECEDES. 

MERCEDES 

[Followmg  her. 
See  how  you  betray  yourself — 

TEO  D  OR A 

Betray! 

MERCEDES 

Yes!    Every   tone   you   utter   the    flush    of   your 
cheek — your  lips  tremble —  your  eyes  soften  with 
tears  if  you  but  speak  his  name. — Teodora,  you 
love  him! 

TEODORA 

No,  no,  no,  a  thousand  times  no! — 
[182] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Looking  at  her  closely. 
Guard  yourself,  well,  I  warn  you — your  steps  falter. 

TE  o  D  o  B A 
And  you  wait  to  see  me  fall ! 

[MERCEDES  makes  a  sign  of  protest. 

You  urge  and  push  me  to  the  very  trap  you  pre 
tend  to  warn  me  of;  else  why  do  you  din  into  my 
ears  this  lie — this  lie — 'You  love  him* — 'you 
love  him.' — Little  by  little,  oh,  so  cunningly,  so 
fiendishly,  you  try  to  convince  me  that  love  for 
Julian  is  going  from  my  heart,  and  that  love  for 
another — try  as  I  will  to  fight  it — is  taking  its 
place. — It  is  from  you  I  must  guard  myself — and 
not  from  him  for  whom  I  have  never  known  one 
single,  passing  thought  but  honest  friendship. 

MERCEDES 

Is  that  the  truth? 

TE  O  D  OR A 

I  have  never  lied!  It  is  the  truth  now.  But  God 
knows  what  you  all  may  do  with  your  ceaseless  sus 
picion — warning  us  of  danger  we  never  dreamed 
of — weaving  about  us  a  mist  of  doubt  and  self- 

[183] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

distrust  through  which  we  no  longer  see  our  own 
souls  clearly. 

[Fiercely. 

Keep  on  with  this  lie,  Mercedes,  and  in  the  end 
you  may  distort  the  lie  into  truth! 

MERCEDES 

[Triumphantly,  turning  from  her. 
You  see,  you're  not  certain  of  yourself! 

TE  o  D  o  R A 
Indeed  I  am — 

MERCEDES 

[Coming  back  to  her. 
Of  him,  too  ? 

TE  O  D  OR A 

Ye3. 

MERCEDES 

You  wouldn't  say  so,  if  you'd  seen  him  just  now — 
and  heard  him. 

TEODOR A 

Where? 

[184] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

Here. — Every  word  and  look  declared  the  truth. — 
He  loves  you! 

TEO  D  O  R A 

[Protesting  wildly. 
No,  no,  no! 

MERCEDES 

If  you'd  heard  him — you  wouldn't  doubt — 

T  E  O  D  O  R  A 

Then  well  for  him  I  didn't ! — He's  gone  ? 

MERCEDES 

He's  waiting  for  you — out  there. 

T  E  O  D  O  R  A 

[Takes  a  step  toward  the  balcony,  then  turns. 

No!  Tell  him  to  leave  here.  He's  done  harm 
enough  in  this  house.  Tell  him  to  be  off — I 
want  never  to  see  him  again. 

MERCEDES,  deliberately 

If  you  don't  love  him,  you'll  tell  him  that  with  your 
own  lips. 

[185] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TEO  D  O  B A 

That  I  will — and  you  shall  see  how  I  tell  him. 

[MERCEDES  goes  to  the  balcony-door  and 
beckons  ERNESTO  to  enter. 

MERCEDES 
[To  ERNESTO. 

You  forced  your  way  into  this  house  against  my 
orders — you  insisted  on  seeing  Donna  Teodora 
against  my  advice — I  trust  her  to  make  you  re 
gret  it. 

[There  is  an  awkward  pause,   ERNESTO 
obviously  waiting  for  MERCEDES  to  leave. 

E  RNESTO 

Better,  then,  between  Teodora  and  me. 

MERCEDES 

[Making  no  sign  of  going. 
For  what  Teodora  has  to  say  to  you — 

ERNESTO,   interrupting 
But  for  what  I  have  to  say  to  Teodora — 

[With  a  bow  as  if  dismissing  MERCEDES. 
If  you  please — 

[186] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

MERCEDES 

[Appealing  to  T  E  o  D  o  R  A. 
Teodora? 

ERNESTO 

Alone,  Teodora — you  and  I. 

TEODORA 

[After  a  slight  hesitation. 
Let  it  be  as  he  wishes. 

MERCEDES,  accusingly 
You  are  as  wax  in  his  hands. 

TEODORA 

You  shall  see! 

[MERCEDES    goes    out. 

TEODORA 

Don  Ernesto,  I  wish  you  to  leave  this  house,  at 
once! 

ERNESTO 

[As  if  bewildered. 

So  that  was  her  plan! — You  to  show  me  the  door! 
But  not  your  own  free  will,  Teodora? 

[187] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TE  O  D  O  R  A 

Absolutely — I  wish  you  to  go — we  must  never  see 
each  other — again. 

ERNESTO 
Yes,  yes,  of  course — that  must  be,  I  know — 

[Appealingly. 
but,  Teodora.  not  this  way — not  this  way ! 

TEO  DOR A 

[In  a  softer  tone. 
Surely,  you  must  understand.  .  .  . 

ERNESTO 

That  my  very  presence  is  hateful  to  you,  yes — and 
that  I  must  seem  the  evil  genius  of  your  house — 
but  don't  drive  me  out — till  I've  seen  Julian — 
spoken  with  him. 

TEODORA,  excitedly 
Julian !    No — that  cannot  be. 

ERNESTO 

For  just  one  word  of  forgiveness — a  hand-clasp  of 
farewell. 

[188] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

TE  O  D  O  R A 

No,  no,  no — you  may  not  go  to  Julian. 

ERNESTO 

Teodora — 

[Pointing  to  j  u  L  i  A  N'S  door. 

To  leave  him,  forever — this  way — I'm  not  a 
coward — and  I've  learned  to  suffer,  but  I  can't 
face  that — I  can't/ 

[Starts   toward   JULIA  N'S   door. 

TEODORA 

[Stopping  him. 
I  forbid  you! 

ERNESTO 

You  forbid!  They  knew,  they  knew  I'd  obey — 
made  me  promise. — Then,  you,  Teodora — you 
will  go — and  bring  me  word — only  one  word,  of 
Julian's  faith. 

TEODORA 

[Stands  with  lowered  head  as   if  ashamed  to 
answer. 

No — no — I — 

[189] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


ERNESTO 


You  refuse? — Teodora,  even  though  you  hate  me 
—have  pity — pity! 

TEODORA 

Yes,  and  you,  too,  for  me.    If  you  may  not  cross 
that  threshold,  no  more  may  I — 

EENESTO,  amazed 
Teo! 

TEODORA 

They  bar  me  from  him,  as  though  my  touch  were 
poison. 

ERNESTO 

Who  does  this — who — Severo? 

TEODORA 

Yes,  Severo. 

EENESTO,  tensely 

We  shall  see — we  shall  see! 

[Takes  her  hand. 
Come. 

TEODORA 

[Drawing  her  hand  away  quickly. 
What  would  you  do  ? — 

[190] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

To  Julian — you  and  I — 

T  E  o  D  o  R  A,  feverishly 
No,  no,  no — it  would  kill  him — they  say. 

ERNESTO,  insisting 

No — but  their  lies,  that  torture  and  poison  him, 
may!  We'll  give  him  new  strength  and  courage, 
with  the  truth. 

T  E  o  D  o  R  A 

[Drawing  away  from  him,  shaking  her  head 
sadly. 

He  will  not  believe — he  would  not  listen. 

ERNESTO 

[With  increasing  fevour. 

He  must  believe!  Though  no  word  be  spoken — 
he'll  see  the  truth.  Come,  Teodora,  everything 
else,  I  yield — I'll  obey — but  let  me  not  go  from 
here  till-— 

[On  half  bended  knee. 
I  implore  you — I  entreat  you — 
[191] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[At  full  height,  and  with  changed  tone. 
I  command  you — 

[As  ERNESTO  utters  this  impassioned 
plea  to  TEODORA,  SEVERO  appears 
at  the  door  which  leads  to  j  u  L  i  A  N'S  room. 

SEVERO 
You  wretched — 

[Advances  threateningly  to  ERNESTO. 
Who  dared  let  you  enter? 

ERNESTO 
No  one — I  forced  my  way  in.     Don  Severe,  I  wish — 

SEVERO,  interrupting 

To  complete  your  perfidy! — You  see  what  has 
come  from — 

ERNESTO 

'From  nothing — really  nothing!'  That  I  will 
prove  to  Julian,  if  I  must  fight  at  every  step  to 
reach  him.  For  see  him,  I  shall. 

[ERNESTO  makes  two  or  three  steps  to 
wards  JULIA  N'S  door;  SEVERO  posts 
himself  before  the  door  as  if  to  bar  the  way. 

[192] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

SB VEBO 

Be  off!    I  counsel  you — go! 

ERNESTO,  decisively 
Not  till  I've  seen  Julian — spoken  with  him — 

SE VERO 

Why?  With  what  purpose?  To  finish  the  work 
Alvarez  began  for  you  ?  The  grim  spectre  stalks 
too  slowly,  eh? 

[ERNESTO  makes  a  gesture  of  protest. 

Your  every  heart-throb  bids  him  Hurry!  hurry! 
hurry! — So  eager  are  you  two  for  each  other's 
arms. 

ERNESTO 
[After  a  pause. 

I'll  not  answer  you  in  kind — here — now.  Your 
grief — your  great  love  for  Julian,  excuses  much. 
— Deal  with  me  as  you  will — but  this  unhappy 
woman  you  must  show,  at  least,  pity. 

s  E  v  E  R  o 

[Going  to  the  bell  at  left. 
Her  and  you,  I  show  only — 
[193] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[With  a  gesture  of  dismissal. 
The  door!     Go— or  I'll— 
[Rings. 

ERNESTO 
When  I've  seen  Julian. 

SERVANT 

[Entering,  to  s  E  v  E  R  o. 
Orders,  sir? 

T  E  o  D  o  R  A,  quietly 
No — a  mistake — Don  Severe  has  no  orders  to  give — 

[SERVANT  goes  out. 
Here. 

[To    SEVERO. 

So  long  as  Julian  lives,  I  am  mistress  of  this 
house. 

[To    ERNESTO. 

Remain. 

SEVERO 

You  set  your  authority  against  mine — in  this  house 
you've  dragged  down  to  disgrace! — You  forget 
you  remain  under  this  roof — by  my  sufferance — 
and  Mercedes'  plea  for  you. — You  are  mistress 

[194] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

here,  indeed! — Well,  not  only  does  he  go,  but  he 
takes  you  with  him,  you — 

[Utters  a  word  that  only  T  E  o  D  o  B  A  hears. 

T  E  O  D  O  B  A 

[Recoiling,  as  from  a  blow,  and  in  tones  of 
mingled  horror  and  anguish, 

Oh,  Julian !— 

[Buries  her  face  in  her  hands. 

s  E v  E  BO 
Now,  will  you  go? 

E  BNESTO 

When,  on  bended  knee,  you  ask  her  pardon. 

[Seizes    SEVEBO  as  if  to  bring  him  to  his 
knees. 

That  word  should  be  your  last. — On  your  knees 

TE  o  D  o  B A 

[Coming  between  them  and  interceding. 
No,  no,  no,  no — Julian  will  hear — please — 

[E  B  N  E  s  T  o  throws  SEVEBO  to  one  side, 
as  he  releases  him. 

[195] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[T  E  o  D  o  R  A  leads  ERNESTO  away  from 
s  E  v  E  R  o,  pleading  with  him. 

I  beg  of  you — Ernesto — go — please  go — 

ERNESTO,  decisively 
No — not  until  I've  seen  Julian — 

JULIAN 

[Speaking  in  his  room. 
Let  me  go — I  hear  them — I  tell  you — 

MERCEDES 

[She  heard  speaking  to  J  u  L  I  A  N,  in  his 
room. 

No — you  must  not — 

[j  u  L  i  A  N  enters,  followed  by  MERCEDES. 
He  is  deadly  pale;  his  eyes  glitter  with  fever. 
MERCEDES  makes  one  last  effort  to  re 
strain  him.  He  pushes  her  aside,  rather 
brusquely. 

[BEAULIEU  and  p  E  p  I  T  o  re-enter  from 
the  balcony. 

JULIAN 
Let  me  go,  I  say — 

[196] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 


[Advances  a  few  steps,  glaring 

and  ERNESTO,    who    stand   side    by    side, 

their  eyes  fixed  on  JULIAN. 

JULIAN,   bitterly 
Together  —  as  usual  !  —  I  knew  I  heard  them  — 

[To  MERCEDES. 

You  said  not! 

[Rather  peevishly. 

Why  does  everyone  lie  to  me?  —  Where  are  they 
going?  Who  stopped  you  —  you  traitors!  You 
accursed  — 

[Takes  a  step  toward  them,  threateningly,  but 
almost  collapses,  and  leans  for  support  against 
the  piano. 

8  E  V  E  R  O 

[Hastening  to  his  assistance. 
Julian  —  dear  brother  — 

JULIAN,  tenderly 

Ah,  Severo,  you  are  true  to  me  —  aren't  you  ?  They 
broke  faith  with  me,  didn't  they?  —  Tricked  me!  — 
Wasn't  hard,  though,  was  it?  —  with  my  trust  — 
my  poor,  blind  trust.  —  And  look  — 

[Points  feebly  at  them. 
[197] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

together — as  always — together! 

[ERNESTO  and  T  E  o  D  o  R  A  move  apart 
instantly. 

And  they  take  care — don't  they? — good  care — 
to  keep  out  of — my  reach. 

[T  E  o  D  o  R  A  takes  one  step  toward  him — 
slowly,  shrinkingly — and  then  stops. 

Nearer!    Nearer! 

[T  E  o  D  o  R  A  stretches  out  her  hands  ap- 
pealingly,  but  does  not  approach  him. 

TE  o  D  o  R A 
Julian ! 

JULIAN 

[With  a  gesture  of  command. 
Come  here!     Here!     I  order  you.     In  my  arms! 

[T  E  o  D  o  R  A  rushes  forward  and  throws 
herself  into  JULIA  N'S  arms.  He  clasps 
her  frantically.  In  triumphant  tones  to  the 
others. 

You  see — she  is  mine!    For  all  you  may  say — 
she  is  mine! 

[To  TEODORA,  caressing  her 
Tell  me — you're  mine? 

[198] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

T  E  O  D  O*R  A 

Yes,  Julian. 

JULIAN 

[Holding  her  at  half -arm's  length,  and  look 
ing  at  her  intently. 

You  lie — you  lie! 

TE  o  D  o  R A 
No! 

JULIAN 

[Draws  her  again  to  him. 
I  could  crush  you — stifle  you — as  you  deserve — 

s  E  v  E  RO 
Yes — a  thousand  times. 

JULIAN 

But  I  look  at  her — I  look  at  her — and — it  was  always 
so — I'm  weak. 

[With  a  sudden  outburst,  and  pulling  him 
self  together. 

Besides — 

[Pointing  to  ERNESTO. 
There's  the  culprit — the  real  traitor — 
[199] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[With  a  commanding  gesture. 
Here!    Nearer! 

[ERNESTO  goes  to  him. 
Confess — you  betrayed  me — 

ERNESTO 

[Deliberately — almost  coldly. 
No,  Julian. 

JULIAN 

You  dare  deny — without  blush  or  falter — what  the 
whole  world  says? 

ERNESTO 

The  world  lies,  Julian — mine's  the  truth!    I  swear 
it! 

JULIAN 

By  what  ? 

ERNESTO 

On  my  honour — 

JULIAN 

[Interrupting,  with  bitter  irony. 
His  honour/ 

[200] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[To  the  others. 
You  hear  ? — his — precious — honour ! 

ERNESTO 

Then,  by  my  father's 


JULIAN,  fiercely 

Silent ! — I  forbid  you  to  sully  my  friend's  nam< 
as  you  sullied  mine — you  two. 


EENESTO 

By  what  oath,  then,  oh,  Julian,  my  more  than 
brother,  by  what  sacred — 

[JULIAN  makes  a  gesture  for  silence,  and 

ERNESTO  turns  to  TEODORA. 

Teodora,  what  can  we  do? — to  prove  to  him? 


JULIAN 

[To    SEVERO. 

See,  they  take  counsel  of  each  other,  openly — 
under  my  very  eyes. — No  more  need  of  stealthy 
messages — letters  sealed — 

[201] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO 

[With  a  startled  look  at  TEODORA. 
Tell  him,  Teo,  what  you  wrote. 

JULIAN 

Oh,     I     know — the     rendezvous — arranged — his 
rooms — 

[To  SEVERO. 
You  were  right,  brother — we  should  have  read — 

ERNESTO 

Oh,  if  you  only  had — 

[Appealing  to  TEODORA. 
Teodora,  tell  him — 

JULIAN 
[Silencing  them. 

Lies — more  lies  ?    A  cypher !    A  lover's  code !    Oh, 
I  see  all  so  clearly  now — 

[Puts  his  hand  to  his  eyes  as  if  clearing  Ms 
vision. 

TEODORA 

[Caressing  JULIAN. 

No,  no,  Julian — the  mists  of  fever  blind  you! 
[202] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[With  growing  wrath. 

There  was  no  fever,  then — when  I  found  you — 
with  him. — The  truth! — You  did  betray  me — 
you  two — confess ! 

TEODOEA 

[Looking  JULIAN  straight  in  the  eye. 

Julian,  could  my  hand  rest  in  yours  without  a 
tremour — could  my  eyes  meet  yours — thus? 

JULIAN 
[Pushing  her  away. 

Yes — because  you  are  shameless — wanton — in 
your  guilt. 

[TEODORA  in  despair  turns  and  faces 
EENESTO  ;  they  exchange  glances  of  help 
less  appeal.  JULIAN  follows  their  mutual 
glance  with  frenzied  intentness. 

[Wildly. 

See!     How  love  lights  her  eye  when  she  turns 
to  Mm — and  the  gleam  in  his — 

[203] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

[Puts  his  hand  on  ERNESTO'S  eye. 
Not  from  tears. 

[Seizes  ERNESTO'S  wrist  fiercely. 
Confess ! 

ERNESTO 

[Almost  coldly. 
To  a  lie — no,  Julian! 

JULIAN 

[Raising  his  arm  threateningly. 
For  that  lie,  then,  I'll  kill  you. 

ERNESTO 

[On  bended  knee. 
Kill  me,  yes,  Julian,  but  first  forgive  me ! 

JULIAN 
That's  confession — to  ask  forgiveness! 

ERNESTO 

For  all  your  woe  and  pain — forgive  me !    Then — 

JULIAN 
No,  you  shan't  escape  conscience  that  way. — Live 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

— you  must  live — and  on  your  brow — for  all 
men  to  see — I'll  put  the  mark  of  shame — soon, 
by  God's  help,  with  my  sword!  Now — with 
my — 

[He  strikes  EENESTO  a  stinging  blow  in 
the  face.  ERNESTO  with  a  cry  of  horror 
recoils,  steps  backward  slightly,  raises  him 
self  to  his  full  height,  and  makes  a  threat 
ening  step  forward  as  if  to  return  the  blow. 

TEODORA 

[With  a  shriek. 
Ernesto ! 

[ERNESTO  stops  instantly  at  the  sound  of 
her  voice,  clasps  his  hands  together,  and 
stands  rigid  as  a  statue.  JULIAN,  after 
striking  ERNESTO,  totters,  and  only  keeps 
from  falling  to  the  floor  by  leaning  against 
the  piano.  SEVERO  and  BEAULIEU  rush 
to  support  him,  as  he  reels  to  and  fro. 
TEODORA  crosses  to  ERNESTO,  as  if  to 
keep  him  from  following  JULIAN  as  the 
others  lead  him  from  the  room. 

SEVERO 

[To    JULIAN. 

Come,  come,  Julian. 

[205] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

JULIAN 

[Faintly,     looking     at     TEODOEA     and 
ERNESTO  -fixedly,  and  moving  toward  them. 

No — I've  not  done  with  them — 

SEVERO 
Leave  them  to  me — leave  them — 

JULIAN 

[At  the  door,  looking  back. 
Together — as  always — together! 

[Goes  out,  supported  by  BEAULIEU. 
[ERNESTO  stands  dumb,  motionless,  gaz 
ing  after  JULIAN,  as  if  actually  stunned 
by  the  blow. 

TEODOEA 

[Following  him. 
Julian ! 

[As  she  reaches  the  door,  SEVERO  turns. 

SEVERO 

No! 

[MERCEDES  and  PEPITO,  at  a  gesture 
[206] 


THE     WORLD     AND     HIS     WIFE 

from  SEVERO,  go  into  JULIAN'S  room. 

TEODORA,  beseechingly 
Surely,  I  may — 

SEVERO,  vehemently 
No! 

[Closes  the  door  in  her  face. 
[TEODORA    turns    to    ERNESTO.      They 
stare  at  each  other  in  silence  for  some  sec 
onds. 

TEODORA 

It  was  the  madness  of  fever — that  blow — you 
must  forgive  Julian. 

ERNESTO 

I  love  him  for  it — it  makes  the  rest  so  easy — 
Only,  to  go  and  leave  you  here,  alone,  with 
these  pitiless — 

TEODORA 

Where  are  you  going — what  will  you  do? 

ERNESTO 

What  is  left  me  to  do? 

[207] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 

TEODORA,  affrighted 
You'll  not— 

ERNESTO 

After  that  blow — you  wouldn't  have  me  live? 

TEODORA 

Kill  yourself — 

[Tremulously. 

No!  no! 

[With  bitterness. 

No !  Fate  took  one  life  because  of  me — and  for 
nothing,  nothing,  nothing!  It  shall  not  have 
another. 

[TFitfft  a  commanding  gesture. 

Here — you  remain — under  my  eyes — until  this 
horror  ends! — Or — come — 

[Takes  his  hand.     EENESTO  draws  back. 

ERNESTO 
Where? 

TEODORA 

To  Julian. — Now,  I'll  take  you  to  him — 
[208] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 

ERNESTO,  proudly 
No! 

TEODOEA 

With  me — yes — In  the  clear  light  that  comes  with 
the  end  to  guide  every  soul  to  its  Maker,  he  will 
see  the  truth — and  tell  us  so. 

[ERNESTO  shakes  his  head. 

TEODORA 

He  must  tell  us. 

[She  leads  ERNESTO,  who  is  reluctant, 
toward  JULIAN'S  room.  Before  they 
reach  the  door,  it  opens. 

SEVERO 

[At  the  threshold. 
Where  are  you  going? 

TEODORA 

[Drawing  slightly  back. 
To  Julian. 

SEVERO 

You  shall  not. 

[209] 


THE     WORLD    AND      HIS     WIFE 

TEODOEA 

Don  Severe! — It  is  my  right. 

SEVERO 

[In  measured  tones. 
You  have  no  more  right  in  this  house. 

TEODOBA 
But  you  will  let  me  see — my  husband. 

SEVERO,  grimly 
Oh,  yes. 

[Holds  open  the  door. 
You  may  see  what  you  have  done. 

[TEODOBA  passes  him,  stands  a  long  time, 
gazing  into  the  room;  then,  with  a  cry  of 
anguish,  staggers  back,  and  falls  on  her 
knees,  with  her  head  buried  in  her  arms. 

SEVERO 

[Standing  over  her. 
And — now — out  with  you! 

[Calls. 
Pepito ! 

[210] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 

PEPITO 

[Entering  with   MERCEDES. 
Yes,  father— 

SEVERO 

You  have  my  orders. 

PEPITO 
But,  father— 

SEVERO 

Show  this  woman  the  door. 
[PEPITO  hesitates. 

SEVERO 
[In  louder  tones. 

You  hear  me? 

PEPITO 

[Tremulously,   appealing  to   MERCEDES. 
But  my  mother  would  rather — 

SEVERO 

Since  you  won't — then  the  servants ! 
[Crosses  to  the  hall. 

MERCEDES 

[Commandingly,  so  that  he  stops  quickly. 
Severe ! — Donna  Teodora  was  Julian's  wife ! 
[211] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 

SEVERO 

Oh,  you  want  ceremony  for  this  creature.  Well, 
then,  since  you  prefer,  /  shall — 

[Approaches  TEODORA. 

[From  the  moment  that  ERNESTO  realizes 
the  meaning  of  TEODORA'S  cry,  as  she 
turns  from  JULIAN'S  door,  he  stands 
dumb,  motionless,  staring  vacantly  into 
space,  as  if  stunned  into  a  graven  image. — 
Now,  as  SEVERO  advances  to  her,  he  fairly 
leaps  between  them,  with  arms  uplifted, 
and  in  a  quivering  frenzy  of  wrath. 

ERNESTO 
[In  tones  of  mingled  rage  and  tears. 

If  you  dare!  If  you  dare! — So  much  as  touch 
this  woman — since  death  itself  cannot  shame 
you — nor  stop  you. — You've  had  your  way — 
your  dull,  stupid,  cruel,  pitiless  way. — In  your 
ignorance,  your  folly,  your  vileness,  you  dared 
dishonour  Julian's  wife — you  shall  not  dishon 
our  mine.  Brave,  noble  gentleman  though  he 
was,  he  could  not  guard  his  wife  from  you.  You 
shall  see  how  I  can  guard  mine! 

[212] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 

SEVEEO 

{Turning  triumphantly  to  MERCEDES. 

'Mine' — you  heard?  'Mine'!  They've  done  with 
lies,  now. 

ERNESTO 

Because,  now,  now,  for  the  first  time,  it  is  the 
truth!  And  wonder  of  it  all,  your  lies  have 
made  it  truth.  Now,  but  never  till  now.  .  .  . 
If  love  had  burned  its  way  into  my  heart  I'd 
have  strangled  it — or  strangled  myself — before 
a  word  passed  my  lips.  I'd  have  plucked  out 
my  eyes  before  one  gleam  should  betray  me. 
Not  even  to  myself — in  the  loneliness  of  night — 
would  I  have  owned  to  such  disloyalty. — And  so 
it  would  have  gone  to  the  end  of  life — to  the 
end  of  time — so  that  we  could  face  him — we  two 
— through  all  eternity — unflinching,  though  our 
very  hearts  shrivelled  with  passion. 

[Turning   to   TEODORA,  with  arms  out 
stretched. 

Come,  Teodora. 

[She  shrinks  back — as  if  frightened — to 
ward  MERCEDES. 

Come — you  are  mine,  now,  Teo,  mine !  mine!  ! 
[213] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 


SEVERO 


Ah,  now  we  have  the  truth!  It  is  as  we  said — 
just  as  we  said. 

EBNESTO 

[TFz£/i  exultation  that  grows  steadily  from 
the  start  to  the  finish  of  his  speech,  so  that 
at  the  end  it  thrills  with  tones  of  defiance 
and  victory. 

Yes,  now  it  is  as  you  would  have  it ! — Never  until 
this  moment  was  there  thought  of  love  between 
us.  This  woman's  soul  was  pure  as  the  sun 
beams — my  heart  as  clear  as  the  skies.  Teo- 
dora  loved  none  but  Julian.  I  was  his  loyal 
friend,  ready  to  serve  him  to  the  death. 

[With  uplifted  hand. 

And  that  I  swear  to  the  Great  Judge  before 
whom  Julian  has  gone  to  arraign  her  and  me. 
So,  too,  it  would  have  been  to  the  end.  But 
now!  Now  we  are  as  you  would  have  us — 
conscious  of  guilt,  bold  in  shame.  The  life 
warmth  fled  from  the  slain  Julian  kindled  in 
our  hearts  the  flames  of  an  accursed  passion. — 

[Rushes  to  the  balcony  and  flings  the 
doors  wide  open. 

Go  cry  it  from  the  windows  and  the  house-tops, 
[814] 


THE     WORLD     AND      HIS     WIFE 

to  all  your  neighbours,  you  and  your  kind! 
Say  to  them:  'Yes,  we  were  right — they  are 
lovers,  Teodora  and  Ernesto — they  confess  it, 
without  blame  or  blush!'  And  when  they  ask 
you  who  has  wrought  this — this  marvel  and 
infamy,  you  may  answer  them:  "You  have 
done  it — and  I — and  that  man  there — and  that 
one — and  that  one !  all  of  us,  everywhere !  We 
mixed  the  subtle  poison  and  scattered  it  to  the 
winds,  so  these  two  might  breathe  it  in,  to 
stifle  conscience  and  drug  the  soul.'  Yes,  the 
triumph  is  yours — and  you've  done  your  hell 
ish  work  well!  Come,  Teodora, 

{Taking  her  in  his  arms. 

they  have  given  you  to  me — my  sacred  love — 
my  eternal  life.  Henceforth  you  rest  in  my 
arms — that  strain  to  clasp  you. — They've 
willed  it  so — they've  willed  it  so — and  let  all 
righteous  Heaven  judge  between  them  and  us! 

[The  last  sentence  is  uttered  in  tones  of 
thunderous  defiance,  as  ERNESTO  and 
TEODORA  are  making  their  way  to  the 
door. 


CURTAIN 


[215] 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON   THE   LAST  DATE 
STAMPED   BELOW 

RENEWED  BOOKS  ARE  SUBJECT  TO  IMMEDIATE 
RECALL 


LIBRARY,  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA,  DAVIS 

Book  Slip-10m-l,'63(D5068s4)458 


269270 


Nirdlinger,  C.F. 
World  and  his  wife 


Call  Number: 

PS3527 

187 

W6 


PS  35  2  7 


269270 


